#luka looking at him like yes. this is the man i am going to marry.

[imtryingbuck]

Three

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x fem!Reader

Summary: Y/n L/n becomes Queen of Astoria not that she wanted to. Prince James of Winterfeld meets her and falls in love.

Word count: 2,575

Warnings: angst. fluff. mentions of being hung and murdered by arrows (it does not happen!) groping.

Masterlist   Series Masterlist

All she had to do was spend time with the man, it didn’t mean she was going to marry him on the spot and begin trying to pop out heirs. Her mother promised her that if she did not like the man then she would drop the topic all together. Even though she was now Queen and one of the most skilled warriors in the army she was still a child at heart, holding up her pinkie finger she made her mother wrap her own around her digit and pinkie swear.

“Please spend more than five minutes with the man before you decide.” Y/n nodded reluctantly, her original plan going straight out the window.

Prince Brock Rumlow was the man her mother had chosen. It was less than five minutes before she wanted to leave and call the meeting off. Yes he was a attractive but truthfully that is all he had going for him. He was dull, rude and so full of himself she struggled to remain stoic as he talking about himself and himself, oh and more importantly himself. She made the mistake of looking at Carlson who stood by the wall with the rest of the knights, he put an imaginary noose around his neck, closing his eyes and sticking his tongue out - she failed to stop the unattractive snort noise she made.

“What is so funny?”

“N-nothing, my prince. Please continue.”

The kingdom was bustling with the arrival of the King and Queen from Winterfeld - a neighbouring kingdom - that was coming to meet the new queen for the first time. The queens mother was busy greeting them and their family as Y/n was dying a slow and painful death called boredom as Prince Brock droned on and on.

“I am sorry that the Queen is not available at this moment, a feast will be held tonight in honour of your arrival.”

“It is understandable. Where is the Kings second wife?” Queen Winifred asked.

“S-she passed away.”

“Oh, oh I am so sorry! How are the princess’s doing?”

“I will admit they aren’t doing great but they are strong little darlings.” Her mother was giving them a tour of the castle before showing them to their chambers that they would be calling home for a week.

As her mother was busy with the King and Queen of Winterfeld, Y/n had changed out of her dress and into her training clothes and made her way to the training grounds with Carlson and a handful of her most trusted knights following closely behind her. It took her slightly longer to arrive as the townsfolk would stop her to say their hello’s and wishing her good luck in the makeshift circle, she spoke to each and every one of them.

“You have not been here for quite a while now, I do not know how you will do.” Carlson said with a smirk on his lips.

“I will pick you for my first opponent then shall I?”

“And lose? Surely I will be hung for treason”

“I will never have you hanged, no I would shoot a thousand arrows at you” Carlson gasped dramatically as she laughed.

As they arrived they noticed that there was a small crowd around the circle, some of them there she did not recognise. Those that did noticed her and moved over so she could lean on the wooden railing and watched as two of her warriors fought against each other, she was told a wager had been made - if Luka won he was able to propose to Lelands sister, his opponent, if Leland won Luka had to run around the whole kingdom in his birthday suit. She had to laugh, and admit that she didn’t know which one she wanted to win more.

Luka won.

Leland was not happy.

Carlson jumped over the wooden railing, Y/n throwing his shield to him, he looked around analysing each person there to pick out the person who would fight him - even though he already knew who he was going to pick. “You.” He smirked and pointed his sword towards Y/n.

“Me? Oh how kind of you!” Y/n was quick to jump over the railing too, her shield being passed to her. As she got into position she heard an unfamiliar voice.

“A woman? That is not fair, she should not be fighting.”

Y/n smirked and nodded to Carlson, who winked before lunging at her - not at all going easy on her. The loud clanking of their swords battling against one another rang out in the air, Carlson knocked her shield out of her hand - Y/n smirked, and lunged at her friend, her sword beating off the shield, using the side of her sword she hit him in his side. He dropped his shield and surrendered. This action made her and win the round. Everyone cheered, the new men that had made their presence known all laughing at Carlson for losing against a woman.

“Which one of you fine gentleman said that women should not be fighting?”

“I did sweetheart. You only won because he went easy on you, you know on the battle field the enemy won’t go easy.” She looked over to where the voice came from and smiled. A man leaning on the railing like the rest - handsome man with light curly shoulder length hair, slight stubble of hair on his face, his eyes were bright blue.

As handsome as he was he was a fool for two reasons, the first being that he obviously had no idea who she was, and secondly for daring to call her sweetheart.

“And who may you be?”

“Prince James of Winterfeld, and you?” Bless his heart, he laughed along with those from her kingdom thinking they were laughing with him and not at him.

Foolish man indeed.

“Well Prince James, I am the person who challenges you to get into the circle with me, just as long as you do not mind going easy on me.”

“Challenge accepted. And I promise you sweetheart, I will not.”

Carlson hands over his sword and shield to the brunette, telling him ‘good luck’ before climbing back over to where he was stood originally.

“Come on then sweetheart, I promise not to embarrass you.”

Y/n rolled her eyes at him, and began circling him - making him follow her every movement, she knew exactly what she was doing. The second he took his eyes off her she lunged at him, he stumbled back not expecting the attack but he managed to gain control. Once again the only sounds being heard from the woods were the sound of two swords clashing with each other.

James had to admit that he was impressed by her moves, her grace and the fact that she wasn’t struggling for breath even though this was her second round in the circle. She began getting the upper hand against him, he was trying to justify that by getting distracted by her beauty. He had truly never laid eyes on more of a beautiful woman before in his life.

To gain the upper hand against the woman who wasn’t backing down, James ducked as she swung her shield from the side trying to hit him, in his crouched position he sliced her right leg with his sword, blood quickly flowing from the wound. The hiss she let out satisfied him as he was growing annoyed at how he was being bested by a woman. He wanted to laugh at the men from the kingdom who were willing to jump over the railing to protect her, and how they looked concerned when she shook her head and carried on with their fight.

James looks to the side where the woman looks to - not realising it was a distraction - he had no time to react to the woman’s leg sweeping his own under him. Her sword being pointed to his chest, his hands went up.

“Looks like you have lost to a woman, my Prince. I apologise if I have embarrassed you.” He gives her a tight lipped smile watching her climb back over the railing, the man who she was fighting with before whispering something in her ear and she leaves.

“You alright Buck?” Steve asks his best friend and Prince.

“I think I am in love with the mad woman.”

The large hall was full of Lords, Ladies, knights and servants, James - who preferred to be called Bucky - had to admit that the hall was better than the one at home. After introductions and handshakes with the lords and ladies, his family was introduced to the Princess’s, Bucky had to admit that they were all beautiful but his thoughts were on the beautiful mad woman who had bested him earlier that day.

Sitting down next to Steve his eyes darting around the hall in hopes that she would be there, slumping back in his seat he turned to Steve. “After I have met the Queen I am going to leave and try to find the mad woman, cover for me please.”

“The woman from earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Why do you want to find her?”

“Hopefully I can make her a princess.”

“You call her a mad woman when you are talking about marrying a woman who bested you. You are the mad one.” Steve laughed.

“Yes, we can be the mad married couple.”

Steve goes to reply but gets cut off by the Royal Herald announcing that the Queen had arrived. Every single person in the hall stood up, the knights shifting their stances as the large wooden doors came open.

Bucky’s jaw dropped.

It was her. His mad woman. She was the Queen of Astoria.

She walked with her head held high, a crown sitting upon her head, her dress was a dark red and black. Before walking up to her seat, she greeted the King and Queen with a slight nod of her head, Bucky knew that she could feel his eyes burning a hole at the side of her face but she was ignoring him.

Steve had to pull on his arm to sit after everyone else does, he was so lost in trance that he didn’t notice everyone sitting. All that kept running through his head was that the beautiful mad woman was a Queen. A Queen he had fought against. And that’s when it dawned on him, he had hurt the Queen! That’s why the men tried to intervene, they were protecting her after he had sliced at her leg!

“- and this is our son, James.” His mothers words snapped him out of his spiralling mind.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, sweetheart.”

Nobody around them questioned the nickname she had given him, though Carlson and Steve chuckled. “The pleasure is all mine, my Queen.”

Throughout the meal Bucky couldn’t keep his eyes off her as she talked to the man who he found out was named Carlson, and talked with his parents. He was waiting for her smile to drop and order her guards to drag him into the dungeon before having him hung but so far a pretty smile was still sat on her lips, he was also nervous of tension brewing between the two kingdoms and him having to admit to his parents that it was all his fault.

“I have heard they call you the Warrior Queen, why is that?” His mother asked her, she tried to repress the smirk off her lips as she sees James sinking slowly in his seat.

“I am the only woman to ever fight in my father’s army, I have been to many battles for him.”

“How many battles have you been in?” The King then asked.

“My first one was when I was sixteen. My father did not know I was there until the battle was over.” She chuckled, the King and Queen joining in.

“Will you continue to fight now?” The Queen asked.

“Of course. I will be right at the front and centre, my men will not fight without me being there.”

“A true Queen you are” King George said, she smiled at him. Though her smile quickly dropped off her face and that had Bucky’s heart pounding. 

“You. Yes you, come here.” She points at a knight who looked absolutely terrified. His eyes darting between her and his King, as he slowly made his way over to her. “You may get away with groping the servants where you are from, but you do not come into my home and do the same to mine. I see or get informed that you have done it again I will hang you myself. Is that understood?”

“Y-yes Queen.”

“Larissa, come here.” Larissa’s cheeks heated up as all eyes went on her as she moved forward, bowing to her Queen she waited. “Apologies to her.”

“I-I am sorry.” He was mortified. He was a knight and was being made to apologise to someone lower than him.

“It’s fine.” Larissa mumbled.

“Larissa darling, you may go back to what you was doing. You, get out of my face. I will say this once and never repeat myself, any man regardless of your station touches my girls I will hang you all myself. Now let the music continue.” She sits back in her seat and turns her head to Carlson having a quiet conversation.

The King was furious. Not because the young Queen had scolded his knight but because the knight had done something that even he wouldn’t permit. “Queen Y/n, I must apologise for his behaviour. I can assure you that I do not let that happen in my home and I will promise you that he will be punished for his behaviour.”

“It is fine, I believe the man has learnt his lesson.”

“My Queen, may I be bold enough to ask you for a dance?” Bucky spoke up, truthfully unaware where he had gained the confidence. When she nodded and stood the crowd dispersed off the floor, sitting down to watch their Queen dance with the Prince.

As the music began again Bucky took her hand in his, the other going to her waist. “When are you going to tell my parents what I did?”

“What do you mean?”

“I harmed you!”

She chuckled. “It was a scratch. I have had worse.”

“Are you going to have me hung?”

“It would have already happened if I wanted that. Do not fret sweetheart, I do not want to kill the only son of the King and Queen of a neighbouring kingdom.”

“Very well. I am sorry for what I did, though if I had known who you really were I would not have gotten into the circle with you.”

“Why?”

“Because you are a Queen…”

“I am a daughter, a sister, a friend and a solider before I am the Queen and you do not need to apologise, you put up a good fight.”

“I could have won if you had not distracted me!”

“If I agree will that help you sleep easier tonight?”

“Yes…”

“Very well. If I had not distracted you, you would have still lost.”

His parents and her mother watched as they danced, they all hear the dramatic gasp falling from the princes’ lips and the giggle from the queen. The two mothers share a look of joy and hope.

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Tags: @sapphirebarnes | @sebastians-love | @sidraaaaaaaaa | @mrsnikstan | @barnesxstan | @hi172826 | @alexdarkacademia | @supraveng | @baw1066

[paulinawoodpecker]

Tad the lost explorer and the spear of blood and tears chapter 26

@jakkiisthatboy2

“you are gonna pay for what happened to Liza!” Dagenia yelled

“well it was my idea. I told you it was her turn to die.” “I so hate you zulo!” Tad yelled as he gets teary “we mad because we know when to leave a party and just as illegal as you guys…

“well we are your punishment!” “even after what happened to Liza!” “yeah why would you do that?”

“because I was jealous and she was an idiot.” “we’ll see who’s the idiot now!”

The triple team and zulo and Zula fights each other

“quick Dagenia. Grab my sword for me!” “Alright tad.” Dagenia hold his sword of pride until it disappears. “WHAT?! MY BABY!!! I don’t understand what happened to my sword! I always love it.”

“Tad! Look!” The sword began to turn into a spear. “What?” “How?!”

“Bravest heroes are chosen to have successors! And this one is gonna beat your *beep* out!”

“Pride, love, and justice! Combine them together, create the world’s new energy and AFRICA FOREVER!!!” Yelled Dagenia before she attacked zulo with her new spear

“Dagenia…the bravest hero is supposed to choose a successor. And I choose you.” Tad said to surprise her. “You want me to be the bravest hero?” “Yes.” Dagenia smiled and replied to him with a hug. “Thanks you…”

“CUCUMBER MAN! GIVE ME YOUR POWER!”

“I’m not going to let you share my power with you!” “oh yeah? What about your son Lukas?”

“Lukas is not my son anymore.” “wait what?” Zulo was surprised from what he told him. “anyways he’s still your son.”

“and who else should you share? Oh yeah. Your wife Margie, oh wait. I forgot! I killed her!”

“but why? Why did you have to kill her?”

“so you can be with me! Back in the old days, when you were a teenager, you always cared about me.” “that’s because I did it for you and your sister’s sake!”

“oh cucumber man… the reason why I killed her is because I’m the only one who doesn’t have a mother! She died in childbirth! when you and Margie became parents and Lukas got into the family and you two wed each other, I got jealous because my mom died, and I have no one else to take care of me and my sister!”

“so then you just saw Liza’s death. And I did the exact same thing on what I did to Margie. and yes, her soul is gone.”

Zulo’s eye balls reflect on the fire and said “so maybe we can go back to the old times when you started to protect me. Well guess what. I’m a grown man now. Maybe you deserve to be a single parent forever. and later on, you forgot all about me and then became a CIA agent, so you met this woman named Ramirez so you hired her to arrest tad. Great job. But then she canceled it, that’s terrible. then you recovered and did your second chance… so you became friends with the mean queen bees except the leader. So you hurt Victoria and Lukas and Reena’s feelings for all of that, then you got arrested for killing four men, and then you came back and betrayed him. so you were inside a crystal and then you ended up in Atlantis! So you tried to marry joya yourself but she got married by max instead so she just hates you. And you had this amazing concert and Battle with the trash team and then you ended up in a portal where all the villains all lie in, vegetable!”

Pickles realized he read his mind about everything

“what’s the matter vegetable? Did I started to call you that? well I’m about to call you that for now on.” “you…you know everything…who told you that?” “it was miss mean queen bee all along, now that I have her power. I can do whatever I want.”

“Oh no…Tiffany…”

“let’s face it pickle. You’re nothing. You don’t deserve to be a CIA agent anymore now that’s you’re fired and you lost your job, your family, your life, everything!” Zulo said angrily.

“and you know who you are?” “you’re such a brat!” “oh am i?” “also the only one who doesn’t trust his friends even me!” While he said that, zulo sheds tears in anger. “WELL MAYBE IM BETTER OFF WITHOUT FRIENDS LIKE YOU!!!”

Pickles gasps at him “Let’s face it Mr p. We’ll never be friends again…you and I are done!” Said zulo as he left.

Pickles finally realized that his relationship with zulo has come to an end.

“poor Sam.” “what have you done?” “so what? He’s useless anyways.” He answered to Jack and max

“but what about you? Max is such a lair who betrayed and cheated his wife and his daughters and left the family to get Sara as his replacement! And you shot four men! What?!” “but why? Who did.” “it was miss mordon your daughter!” Max froze in horror.

“and you!” “me?” “since your niece came to the family, you wanted it to be a boy but you got a girl and then you became jealous of her and then became a billionaire so you can capture Sara and find the collar of king Midas!” Jack also froze in horror.

“you see guys I can hurt as many people as I want… which is you guys.” “does that mean…”

“you guys and our relationship are done. I’m so sorry but I have to do this. Besides. Rules are rules am I right?” Zulo automatically leaves

“oh don’t feel bad max. We’ll get our powers back…I hope…” joya tried to encourage him.

“oh god.” “this is very traumatic!” “traumatic?”

“you know…trauma and dramatic?” Just then tad and Ramirez entered “guys? You okay?” “no.”

“we’re not! Why are our powers getting taken?” Jack asked. “this is zulos doing.” Ramirez told them.

“but what can we do?” “we can help you get your powers back.” “alright tad. Good luck with him.” Suddenly Ramirez noticed pickles. “I’ll be right back.” She said as she runs to him. “Ramirez?” “hey.” “I’m very sorry about your relationship with zulo.” “I know.” “but…you made a mistake. A big mistake.” “yeah…I guess you’re right.” “I’m very sorry he broke up with you.” She comforted him

“let’s face it. He was right. He was right all along…I’m nothing. I lost my family, my friends, my job, my wife, my son, everything is gone.” Ramirez realized the truth the truth and the reason why pickles betrayed Lukas. “I think I know the reason why you betrayed Lukas and became so mean!” “really? Why?”

“zulo taught you how to be mean so you can hurt Lukas and his feelings and even us! Tiffany didn’t taught you all this time! It was zulo! He made you betray your own son!”

“ooh! I’m such a terrible adopted father!” “you’re not a terrible adopted father.” “yes I am. I should’ve known! But it’s already too late!” Ramirez didn’t know what to do until she said

“ I know it was hard. sometimes, you can be friends with people who have dark secrets. And zulo had been lying to you ever since. people can be friends with strangers and then they don’t realize until the stranger tells the truth. About who he or she really is.” So she started to hug pickles. “I promise you I’ll fight for you and get your power back. that was very terrible, scary and very heartbreaking to feel…right?” He felt defeated and hugs her back tightly thanking her for helping him

“there there. I’m right here. oh you men are so stupid and emotional these days right?” That started to make him laugh. “there you go. All good now.”

“oh Ramirez…you were right about the emerald tablet and the sarcophagus thing.” “I was?” “you were right. That stones wasn’t the culprit all this time…I’m very sorry I didn’t believe you. I was too focused about this case…I forgot you were even there. but now…I will always believe in you.”“thanks pickle.” Dagenia wanted to help comfort him and said “I agree with the both of you. zulo doesn’t really like people who back stabbed him in the back. and she was right. If you couldn’t been friends with zulo in the first place, you would’ve kept Lukas as your son.”

“oh…” “can I borrow your hand for something?”

“for what?” “I have this trick…and it worked on a friend of mine and I think you might have recognize him already and it might work for you as well. this song means to calm a traumatized or upset person down after seeing a disappointed, regretful, scary, death and a loss of a friend moment.” Dagenia grabs his hand and starts rubbing it with her finger while humming to cheer him up

“thanks…uh.” “dagenia.” “nice to meet you Dagenia.”

[jrueships]

Get a man who looks at you the same way keldon looks at luka

Practicing fighting for a pass? Keldon elbowing luka

Luka: 😑 . Iron grip unlocked. *pulls back on keldon slightly

Keldon: *acts like luka just killed him

Keldon and luka bf interview while keldon is... goin thru it LMAO. Luka: yes this is my boyfriend.

Keldon: 🩹:-D hiiiii !!!!!

The differences of their smiles..

The way luka looks at keldon even with that big ass bandage and black eye LMAO

The things i would do to get a link to this interview.

[nightlychaotic]

Pop Proposal

Marinette jumped as she caught sight of a man kneeling just behind her chair. She tucked her pencil behind her ear, turning off her music and taking out her earbuds as she turned to face him. Before she had a chance to say anything, he started speaking.

“I know we’ve had our ups and downs.”

“Yes?” she said, softly, confused as all hell as she glanced about, her eyes locking on Adrien and Luka, watching from the corner, shooting her a thumbs up as the man continued.

“But you know what? None of it means anything to me. My family loves you. I love you. Will you marry me?” he asked, holding a ring pop out to her.

“Yes,” she replied with a small nod. He took her left hand and gently slid the ring pop on her finger. She covered her mouth to hide the large grin as he gave a relieved breath and stood.

“Thank you. So much,” he breathed.

She smiled, getting out of her chair, the two hugging.

“I love you,” he told her, resting his chin on top of her head.

“I love you more.”

“What's your name?” he asked.

“Marinette.”

“Dick. Nice to meet you, have a good day,” he told her, shaking her hand before starting to walk away. She lunged forward catching his wrist, pulling him back.

“Hold on a second. You do not just get to propose and ditch like that.”

He laughed, putting his hands in the air. “That’s fair. You were an amazing partner.”

“Thank you. Those two watching creepily from the corner and clapping pull enough shenanigans I’m used to it. Though not used to a stranger pulling them, if I’m being honest.”

“I lost a bet. This was my punishment.”

She laughed as he said that before feeling a sudden weight on her back, stumbling forward a step as Adrien leaned against her. Luka standing just off to the right behind them a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Mari! You didn’t tell us you were seeing anyone!” Adrien announced as he rested his head on her shoulder as he looked at Dick almost as if he was sizing him up.

“Luka. Adrien. This is Dick.”

“Nice to meet you two.”

“You as well,” he replied before a thought occurred to him. “You aren’t dating are you? I’m sorry if I just proposed to your girlfriend. It was a punishment for a bet.”

Adrien laughed. “No, please propose to Marinette as much as you like. We’re exes. We both are her exes.”

“And in the process got together yourselves and adopted me as a sister,” Marinette shot back.

“And I regret nothing.”

“Neither do I. You’re the beat that keeps ups together, Marinette. You know this.”

She shook her head at the two, ignoring Luka glancing back and forth between her and Dick.

“You made a nice choice, Dick.”

“I what?”

“In ring pop. Blue raspberry. It matches your eyes, Mari,” Luka observed with a small grin. “Almost like fate.”

“Would you believe me if I said both were random? Choice in ring pop and human?”

“Oh absolutely. Lady Luck is just funny like that.”

“And she and Marinette are old friends,” Adrien chimed in, before Marinette shoved him off.

“Okay, enough about my relationship with luck. If you two don’t mind, I’m going to have a word with Dick in private,” she said, pulling him away from the two boys, oblivious to their matching grins.

—--------------------------------

“I’m sorry about them,” Marinette said as they settled at a small table, not too far away from the watchful eyes of her self-proclaimed brothers.

“Don’t be. I am used to my own brothers being worse than them.”

She shook her head. “No. You just experience Luka and Adrien Light. You would think Luka’s the sensible one but no. He’s the reckless chaotic one when he thinks no one can see. I am sorry about them.”

“Please don’t be.”

She smiled, pulling a napkin out of the dispenser resting on the table and the pencil resting behind her ear, writing something down before tearing the piece off the napkin.

“Here. If you ever wanted to grab a coffee or dinner or just get together or talk, feel free to give me a call or send a text. I have a feeling these two will be planning our wedding whether we go out or not.”

Dick laughed, plucking the pencil from behind her ear, and scribbling his name and number on the same napkin she’d just tore a piece from, tearing that section out and tucking the pencil back behind her ear.

“Here’s mine. And I think it’s best my brothers don’t meet those two or else we’ll be married by the end of the week.”

She laughed, with a small grin. “May I be bold to mess with them a little bit?”

“Absolutely.”

She pulled her phone out, and pressed a kiss to his cheek, taking a selfie as she did so, capturing the bright blush on his cheeks.

“Thank you. It was amazing meeting you, Dick.”

“You too, Marinette.”

He watched as she left, before his phone gave a soft vibration. Looking down at it, he found himself looking at an unfamiliar number and an attachment. He opened it up to the picture Marinette took, with a sparkling heart emoji.

He smiled, quickly saving her in his contacts and shooting a quick text.

Dinner?

He glanced up towards her table watching her try to keep the ring pop away from Adrien and Luka who kept trying to “examine it,” losing the battle when she checked his text.

I’d love to

Saturday at 7? I’ll pick you up?

Sounds perfect

I’ll see you then

Can’t wait

Me either

He grinned, humming to himself as he walked back to his car, already excited for the weekend and ready to put up with his brothers and the video he knew they would have somehow obtained.

He took a deep breath before entering the manor to face the hoard of siblings he knew were waiting to ambush him as soon as he opened the door. His phone vibrated right as he opened the front door with a short text from Marinette.

I’ll bring dessert

“HE’S BLUSHING!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Based off of this tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdBd2svQ/

[sapphicsandscience]

Glimpse

[QUE]ER Fic and Fandom: Pride Month Challenge

4th-6th June: intersectionality

Short Drabble. Kerry considers her identity and future. Add on from a scene in 7x21 (pic below).

cw for references to homophobia and ableism. authors notes at end.

The coldness bit her skin as she waited. Though it was nothing close to the excruciating hollowness within. She wanted to scream, yet there was nothing to say. She could barely force a word out of her mouth.

“Kind of like, uh, waiting for thunder after the lightning strikes.”

Kerry stayed focused on the ambulance bay. She heard Luka speak but was unable to unfreeze herself. Each breath in and out was painful, her chest refusing to expand each time.

A statement uncomfortably built in her throat. A wall of pressure behind it. She needed to say it. Tell someone so that it was real. So that it had all been real.

That she had loved. And someone had loved back.

I can be loved.

She gripped the metal in her hand tighter, pulling it slightly closer to her body. She needed to blend in. The threat of being perceived was too great.

That was it.

People always perceived her and never understood her. Never did they try to see beyond her exterior.

“Dr. Legaspi and I…” she didn’t know if she would be able to finish, “It ended.”

The words came out easier than she had expected. Though the realization of who she had just said those words to wasn’t as easy to reconcile.

She was at work, waiting for an ambulance to arrive. And yet she was divulging personal secrets to her staff.

She was a mess.

“I’m sorry.” He replied. “Something change?”

“Yes.”

But, did it? Did it really? Does anything ever change, Kerry?

“Do you love her?”

She looked at him.

Yes. I don’t know. Yes.

“Then you should go forward, not back.”

The sounds of an ambulance nearing in the distance diverted Luka’s attention but Kerry struggled to ground herself.

Everything crumbled around her, leaving her with nothing to cling on to. Not even her identity.

In a way, she felt Kim was her only chance. A cruel taste, a reminder, of something she would never receive again.

Even if she could be strong. Push through all the ignorance and hate. It would still be there. In her way.

As it always had.

To the world, everything was related to her disability.

She was angry because she was disabled.

She was lonely because she was disabled.

She was sad because she was disabled.

She was no longer married because she was disabled.

How will the world take me seriously as a gay woman when they don’t even see me as a straight one.

A woman with desires and needs.

Desirable and not pitiful.

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below is me being self indulgent and rambling so skip if u want haha

————————

Okay, so this is more of a collection of thoughts about Kerry and her identities as a lesbian and disabled individual. I am not sure how well this has translated into fic but I wanted to briefly touch on this area.

As a queer and disabled person I have struggled with feelings to do with if people would be able to love me. If people see me as a lesbian or just someone who who has ‘chosen’ that label because I’ll never be able to attract a man.

It’s a complicated concept and I can’t do it justice in a small authors note but I guess I am just trying to explain where I am coming from with this fic.

While I do not have the same disability as Kerry, nor is it as visible. I think her character and how other chapters interact and see her is influenced by her disability. This career driven insensitive boss she is seen as is related to her disability and perceived lack of ‘softness’ because she hasn’t settled down. Plus this incorrect notion that she has no desire to because she is disabled. So this then intersects with her identity as a queer person in a unique way.

Anyway I am rambling SO MUCH now and probably not making that much sense haha sooo;

Happy Pride ❤️🏳️‍🌈

[pseudofaux]

Can I plz request an angst for Fenrir and Luka? Them watching MC being married (probably for Ray and Lancelot) and all they could do is to watch them with silent? Smiling and congratulating the newly wed couples but deep inside theyre dying 😭😭 idk just hurt me 😭😭 thank you sue. I love you and your blog is really amazing. I hope I can make it since it's already may 1 here in my place lol

Here I come to hurt you, a whole half year later. 😩🙇🏻‍♀️ I hope you will see this and… enjoy? 💔

(Requests are closed, I am fulfilling ones from earlier this year. I will post a masterlist when they are all complete. Thank you for reading! 11 left after this one, for real, unless I did the math wrong twice!)

They sit in the front row on the Black Army side, with Seth. Who cries enough for the whole section. Sirius would be there, but he’s the best man and is standing with Alice and the kings. They all look exactly right up there together, beaming and dressed up and mature and unscruffy.

Fenrir pats down his hair and wishes his uniform was a little… nicer, somehow. Luka has his hands clasped tightly in his lap and he’s fretting at one of his fingers. He is able to keep a soft smile. Fenrir is not.

It’s a heart twisting thing, to watch the person they love marry someone else. They are happy for Alice, and they don’t think they could offer her better love, or a better life, or anything. They get it. But they do both love her, have both stayed up late with her, laughing and snacking, both held her when she cried. Held her together when she cried. Even when she cried over Ray and Lancelot. They both dreamed—just dreamed, but they did dream— maybe… this could have been happening with them, instead. It wouldn’t have been a Cradle-wide affair at the Garden or anything. They might have married her in the nice back garden at headquarters, though. Or a restaurant in the Central Quarter.

They know she doesn’t love Ray and Lancelot because they’re more important, or wealthier, than Fenrir and Luka are. Fenrir’s filthy rich, if that mattered.

That’s why he bought her dress. She didn’t ask, he offered. And he offered because he loves her, and he thinks she should have exactly the dress she wants for her wedding day.

She picked a beautiful one.

Luka murmurs that her hair is pretty the way she has it styled today, and Fenrir nods. Luka gave her the pretty jeweled combs she’s wearing, ruby and onyx catching the sun and flashing it back like a code for happiness.

She did ask if they’d do some things, and they said yes before she could be specific, said yes with full hearts knowing her requests would break them in half or worse. They still wanted to be part of it all more than they wanted to be shut out. And that’s why Fenrir gave her away, and Luka made the cake.

They get through the ceremony. It’s hard, but it’s also nice. Neither of them are resentful, they just ache from the many could have beens. Maybe if they had been very, very clear about their feelings, and whispered those dreams when they were all sneaking late night snacks on the kitchen floor...

Luka grabs Fenrir’s hand when Alice kisses the kings. Kisses aren’t supposed to hurt. But sometimes they cut sharper and deeper than a great sword ever could. Right between ribs, to places that bleed deep and miserable. Fenrir clutches his other hand to his heart.

They watch her walk down the aisle, Lancelot on her far side and Ray right beside her, so close Fenrir could try to swap places with him. He doesn’t. He and Luka watch the joy radiating off the newlyweds and kind of want to go jump in a lake. They don’t. They stay, instead, because there’s going to be a receiving line. And because they’re in the front row, and today’s arrangements are for the Red side to go first in everything, they’ll be the last ones to be “received” by the smiling trio.

Seth’s too smart, he’s watching them closely instead of babbling about Alice. But he doesn’t say anything until the line is nearly done, and then all he says is a gentle “Let’s go.” And they go.

They don’t slouch when they walk— thanks to Sirius’ many drills— and they don’t drag their feet. It’s hard not to, though. Their feet just feel heavy. Seth is already done with his long winded wishes for the kings and Alice to be happy when Fenrir and Luka finally make it there.

Alice and Ray are in a rush to greet them by name. Ray pulls Fenrir into a tight hug, and Lancelot gives Jonah a small smile and murmurs a few kind words. Lancelot has always had a special respect for Luka, which has usually been a point of quiet pride instead of the misery business it feels like today. They manage to return the embrace, and the smile.

And then Alice opens her arms to hug them at once, and the radiance of her joy is so bright they are not sure they manage not to flinch. Fenrir says “oof,” as she squeezes them, and Ray laughs. Crisis averted. For other people, anyway.

She’s worn some kind of sweet perfume today, and she is even more dazzling as a married woman than she was as a bride at the beginning of the ceremony.

“Thank you both,” Lancelot says quietly. “Your help today means…”

The tall King of Hearts looks over at his husband as wife, who both laugh.

“It means everything,” Alice tells them, heart on her sleeve like always.

“Thank you,” Ray adds sincerely. And then Alice lets them go, and slips out of their embrace. To stand with her husbands.

“You guys go on in,” Ray nods back toward the tent behind him. “Tell Blanc we’ll be right there, okay?”

Fenrir croaks, but Luka manages a soft “Will do,” with a salute. He pulls Fenrir with him.

They both look back, because they’re hurting and stupid and can’t help but twist their own knives. The newlyweds are holding hands, and Alice is up on tiptoes to rub noses with the kings. They look serene and deeply, perfectly in love.

Fenrir swears under his breath, and it sounds like a sob so Luka yanks them both into the tent and gives Blanc the message he’s supposed to. Then he takes Fenrir directly to the bar and gets them both champagne.

“I hate this stuff,” Fenrir mutters, but he drinks it in one go.

“Not my favorite,” Luka agrees. “No offense,” he adds, indicating the fancy script of the Godspeed label.

“Ask me in the morning if I mind,” Fenrir whispers.

Luka says “Okay,” and wonders how they’ll make it to morning.

[nonbinaryeye]

Disappointing Your Own Family and Other Lonely Things

Written for @lonelyeyesweek

Day 2 - Proposal

Peter Lukas thinks there is nothing more Lonely than to ignore all the members of his family and just mind his own business. Unfortunately some of his relatives seem to not fully share his view and simply must share their opinion on Peter's life.

Read on AO3

…

Peter is really starting to dislike family funerals lately. He still enjoys the silence and peace found in mourning someone you never knew. He likes feeling no sense of loss about them disappearing from this world. It is nice to be looking at an empty casket not being able to recall any memories with them – not even their face. Yes, all those things are still as wonderful as ever.

The problem are those relatives who are unfortunately still very much alive. Last few years, instead of simply parting ways without even looking at each other, members of his family have been trying to start a conversation with him. Just two years ago someone asked him how their ritual was going. Four years before that someone else told him to take over the family affair of dealing with the Magnus institute. And three years before that he was informed about getting the position of the captain of Tundra. All those things could have been solved through much less personal ways such as correspondence. Or even better not to be discussed at all!

Unfortunately even this funeral of a cousin, whose name Peter already forgot, is not very different. Just as he is almost out of the door his uncle stands in his way.

“What is this?” Nathaniel Lukas waves a golden piece of paper in front of his face. It seems familiar… He takes it out of his hand. He does not need to read it to recognize that way too curly and pretentious handwriting.

“Invitation to my and Elias’ wedding. You’ve missed it by a year.”

“You are married to that man?” Nathaniel spits out a curse. Peter is happy to correct him.

"No, I’m not. We’ve got divorced last month.” If they were not he would start planning divorce now though. He was quite clear about not wanting his family to be included in any way. Yet Elias appears to send invitations to them against his wishes anyway – it could not be any less surprising.

“Why?”

“I don’t know why Elias felt the need to send you the invitation. I told him that-…”

“Why did you marry him?”

Peter shrugs. “I was not putting many thoughts into it.”

“Letting yourself being used by that voyeuristic bastard? Have you lost your mind? He married you just for money.”

“I know. And it sounded like quite a Lonely thing to do. I would not marry him if I suspected he cares about me; no need to worry,” Peter notes cheerfully even though he really wishes for this conversation to be over already.

“This is unacceptable, Peter. We tolerated you childish behaviour for long enough. You need to stop acting like a little brat and start doing more for this family.” Peter wonders who the 'we' exactly is since all the other members of his family left at sign of their confrontation and overall do not seem to be interested in Peter’s personal life at all. Sooner than he manages to ask, his uncle continues. “You should start serving the Forsaken in a more traditional way.  Let's start with getting you married.”

“Okay.”

“Someone else than that man again. Obviously.”

“What is more lonely that loveless and childless marriage? The pointlessness of it sounds like something worthy of the Forsaken. Not to mention the loneliness of being freshly divorced." Of course there is also the mild enjoyment of being freshly married but that's only natural. Where would the sweet pain of split up come from if there was not a sparkle of bliss first?

“Learn your place and do your job,” Nathaniel threatens, quite aggravated but so is Peter. This conversation is focused way too much on his life and goes on for way too long. He is tired of it. He is tired of his family telling him what to do with his life. He is tired of his family telling him how to serve Lonely. He is tired of his family telling him what he can and cannot do!

“No. I know my place and I am doing my job just fine. The Forsaken does not seem to have any problem with the way I serve it nor any of my personal relationships. That is all that matters is it not?”

Nathaniel is taken back. He is not used to anyone undermining his authority. Everyone rather agrees than to argue and prolong their talking and Peter would love to do the same. Unfortunately, actions suggested by Nathaniel sound like more trouble than talking to him some more. Because no. He does not want to settle down with a wife he despises and kids he does not care about.

“Now leave me alone.”

He has been planning to return back on Tundra right after the funeral. After this exhausting interaction he could really use some time in the Lonely. With such a lovely time awaiting it would be very silly of him to head to London instead, making a short stop by Magnus institute, would it not? On the other hand what is more deliciously lonely then disappointing your family…

He should probably make one more stop at the jewellery store. Does Forsaken demand miserable marriage from him? Very well he can just choose evil he already knows and just marry James Elias Jonah again! He hopes Nathaniel will not mind too much receiving a new wedding invitation so soon after the last one.

[miraculous-mystery]

The Differences And Similarities Between Two

Chapter 5-Break Away

Previous

Marinette pulled Adrien aside. "I need you and Nino to distract my parents for a day."

Her crush had started to go away when Gabriel admitted to being Hawkmoth and she realized that Adrien needed friends not a girlfriend or another person who idolized him. It was nice being friends with the sunshine boy of Françoise Dupont. He was goofy, caring and protective and had too big of a love for puns.

Adrien looked at her skeptically. "And why should I do that?" He sounded a lot like Natalie now. They were all 16 now and starting Lycée in a month and Natalie had married Gabriel so her influence was a lot more obvious in him.

"Not saying." He hummed and typed something on his phone.

"Done. Do whatever you need to tomorrow and don't leave without sleeping over at the Agreste Manor for the last time." She smiled and gave him a grateful kiss on the cheek. "Tell me if you need anything, alright?" She didn't answer so he spoke again, "Promise me Marinette"

"Fine." She answered reluctantly.

"Thank you." He pressed a kiss to her head, "I have to go."

"Luka?" He smiled and nodded. "You're so love sick."

"So?"

"Whatever. Just go."

⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺

She saw Nathalie's fond smile as Gabriel smothered her in love and attention. The man had given up both the miraculi when his wife stopped breathing. The miraculi could do a lot but being in a coma and then dying was too much for the miraculi to do anything.

He grew quite fond of his son and his bestfriends once he finally payed attention.

"Oncle Gabriel. I'm glad to see you too but I would like to bring my bags up," she wheezed out as best as she could while Gabriel hugged her.

Nathalie smiled teasingly. "I can take them up Mlle. Dupain-Cheng."

"Nathalie-eeeeee!" Marinette whined.

"Yes?"

"Don't betray me-eeeeee."

Nathalie scooped up her two bags and gave her a small kiss the temple. "Sorry Marinette but he needs this."

Adrien happily came to her rescue, prying his father off her. "Now, now. I would like my friend."

"My daughter," his father said firmly.

Agreste Junior rolled his eyes. "Sure she is."

"He's telling the truth though." She felt her newly revealed brother glare at her but she was too occupied fidgeting and admiring the tile they used for the floors. "I'm legally apart of the Agreste family." She finally got herself to look up. Adrien was confused based off the small smile he was giving her and his father. Nathalie had slipped away when the whole thing started.

"Excuse me?!" He almost sounded like nails on a chalkboard. She didn't think that his voice could go so hi up.

She walked over to him and gestured for a handshake. "I'm Marinette Agreste, adopted daughter of Gabriel Agreste."

He looked down at her hand then back to her face. "You are my sister." She nodded and a frown graced his beautiful features. "What happened?"

"A lot of things." She shifted her weight from one foot to the next as she felt his glare. "I'll tell you when we get to your room."

There was silence as the two teenagers made their way to Adrien's room. The bed creaked as Marinette dropped herself on it. Adrien laid beside her.

"The bakery isn't safe for me anymore now that Sabine and Tom know I have a miraculous."

Adrien huffed in understanding before turning on his side to look at her, "Sorry," he breathed.

She smiled and reached out to play with his hair. "It's fine, kitty, I am an assassin—"

He cut her off, "Was an assassin. You stopped three years ago."

She hummed, non-committal. She couldn't promise that she wasn't going say it again. "I can handle the change."

"I'm still helping. As your older brother." She rolled her eyes fondly. Of course he would.

⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺

Nathalie knocked on Marinette's door. It's been a week since she officially became an Agreste and the teen has been her room most of the time.

A squeak and a crash answered her and she cringe. 'I'll have to have a doctor on stand by.'

Marinette opened the door with a sheepish smile. "Did you break something?" Nathalie asked.

She moved to the right to hide something. "I don't know?"

Nathalie rolled her eyes but didn't bother to ask what she was hiding. "Adrien is going back-to-school shopping and he was wondering if you would like to go?"

Marinette's smile became a little happier. "Thanks Mére. Give me 20 minutes."

"I'll tell him."

⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺⫹⫺

Marinette sighed as she stepped out of the car. She was going to a different lycée than Adrien so the attention wouldn't be all that bad but she was still an Agreste and everyone would know that.

She smoothed out her jacket. After waving to Gorilla she walked over to Chloé, who was leaning against the railing of the steps. "Hi, Chloé!" she greeted the bored blond.

Chloé waved to her and linked the arms. "Kubel and Tsurgi are inside. Lê Chiên isn't here yet."

"He's going to be late?"

"What else do you expect from him? It's as if in the last year you rubbed off your lateness on him." Marinette shrugged.

It took them 15 minutes to find the others. Kim and Alix came for the sports program while Chloé, her and Kagami came for the business one.

The day went smoothly for the most part. She had most of her classes with Chloé because Kagami was taking over her mother's business unlike the other two girls who were going towards entrepreneurship instead.

She had lunch with all of her classmates from collège and then went home.

She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her. Tikki felt it too. It put the kwami so much on guard that they told her to protect her earrings a little more carefully.

She really did hope that her mother didn't send someone to follow her.

Next

[manunelle]

MC with an abusive partner {Ikerev/Scenario}

Synopsis: Doesn’t take long for Sirius to realize that something is wrong with the little lady that came from the land above.

Alright, no one asked for this, but I thought about it a week ago and I needed to write it. Some informations before you read it: 

MC is called Alice in this one because I’m lazy af.

She’s 16-19. So, there’s no romance on this house. The guys are like her doting and protective older brothers! 

TRIGGER WARNING: abusive relationship (with age difference), starvation, physical and verbal abuse, vomiting, blood and panic attacks. 

I might do more scenarios about this with the Red Army and the Residents. If you have suggestions, feel free to express your opinion! 

More under the cut! 

·        Doesn’t take long for Sirius to realize that something is wrong with the little lady that came from the land above.

·        She’s always trying to help cleaning the headquarters or to cook their meals, which wouldn’t be a problem if she didn’t start trembling every single time that she asked for orders. Never looking on their eyes, always speaking low and hesitantly, as if fearing them.

·        Sirius try to convince himself that she is simply terrified of the new reality that she found herself in, and it isn’t unlikely, since normal people wouldn’t adjust to such a change in a couple of days. So, he makes his best to create a safe and comfortable place where she can live during her period in Cradle.

·        And everything is great. She smiles, and she likes watching the soldiers’ training, she likes the sweets and pastries that Luka bakes on the kitchen, she has conversations about her country and culture and fooling around with Ray and Fenrir and she has “girl talks” (Seth’s words, not his) with Seth all the time.

·        And she is always following him. To water the flowers. To visit his family’s flower shop. To meet Blanc and Oliver. To visit the Central Quarter. She always one step behind him, like a shadow.

·        And that’s why he knows.

·        That’s why he knows that definitely there’s something wrong with her.

·        From the very beginning, he noticed her strange behaviors, but opted to not point it out, afraid of offending the young lady.

·        Despite eating as much as a human being possibly could, she was thin as a stick. In fact, it looked as if she didn’t even know half of what she was eating, always ending her meals with tearful eyes that were teased by the other residents. She said that their countries’ dishes were too different, that’s all. However, after having a conversation with Blanc, he discovered that was a lie.

·        Alice is always scared. Terrified. Specially of men. Once, she bumped on a soldier that was carrying a pile of plates to the dining room, a shriek leaving her pink lips when the plates shattered on the floor.

·        The scene that happened after was terrifying.

·        “I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry! I am sorry!” She cried, her breathing panicked and mismatched. The man tried to reassure her that it was no problem, raising both his hands in the air to comfort her. However, the opposite happened.

·        A horrified scream left her lips, and she fell on the floor, her elbows and knees pressing against the broken glass. Seth and Fenrir moved forward, to help her up, panicking the poor girl even more. Lost in her panic attack, she ended up vomiting that dinner that she just had on the floor, that substance mixing with her blood and tears.

·        The army was on panic.

·        She fell forward, and thanks to Sirius quick-thinking she didn’t hurt her face on the glass. He took her to the infirmary, fixing up her wounds and watching her sleep with a frown on his face.

·        When bandaging her knees, he saw old and disturbing scars along her thighs and legs. No one had been able to notice them due to her long skirt. Until now. And Sirius wasn’t sure if he was glad he had discovered it.

·        When she woke up, the Queen stopped, almost prohibited, her from apologizing for what happened. They stayed silent for a moment, both avoiding the eyes of the other. Until Sirius had enough.

·        “Little lady, you know that you are safe here, right?”

·        She looked at him, confused.

·        “You know that we would never hurt you, right?”

·        She agreed, hesitant.

·        Sirius put a hand on her leg, raising her skirt to her thigh. Alice tensed, fearing for the worst, however, when looking on his dark violet-colored eyes, she found no sign of malice.

·        “You know that we would never do these to you, right?”

·        She looked down, facing the old scars that came with her from the Land of Reason. From her previous life. From her husband. Slowly, tears trailed down her cheeks, an expression of pure anguish on her face.

·        “Tell me.”

·        Between sobs, she proceeded to tell Sirius about her life on the Land of Reason. About how her dream of working on a confectionery came to an end at the age of sixteen, when her parents arranged a marriage for her and a man that was ten years older than her.

·        At first things were okay- the gentleman was kind and friendly, and, despite forcing himself on her and demanding the best of humors from someone that was not really okay with was as going on, things were okay. Until they weren’t.

·        He started prohibiting her from leaving the house. Started choosing what clothes she would use, saying that no one other than himself should see her arms. Started controlling her meals, claiming that she was fat enough as she was. Started declining visits from her friends, explaining that they were to childish and stupid to hold a conversation with a married woman.

·        Things became more extreme after, in a fit of rage, she screamed at him and received a solid slap on her face. He started beating her constantly. Locking her on her room. Starving her. Beating her thighs and behind with a large stick. Shouting at her and humiliating to the point of breaking her.

·        Sirius hold her hand the whole time, comforting and supporting her to continue, to let it out. Once she was done, he dried her tears with a tissue and let her go back to sleep, exhausted from crying so much.

·        Leaving the infirmary, he was met with the faces of five of the chosen thirteen. Ray’s eyebrows were furrowed, his lips curled on disgust. Fenrir had his fists closed, as if ready to punch someone. Luka was leaning against the wall, a somber look on his face. Seth had his arms crossed, his eyes burning with rage.

·        “You can’t expect us to let her go back to that place.” Ray says, his voice hoarse and deep. The other four agree, and Sirius wish he could agree as well, however, there was Lancelot’s repeating threats of war and kidnapping the girl, and the Magic Tower desire to use her on their experiments, and just because the Black Army was a safe place for her, it didn’t mean that the Cradle itself was safe.

·        Thankfully, things turn out alright after they defeated Amon, thanks to an alliance between both armies and the aid of Harr and Loki. Cradle was finally safe.

·        But no one knew how to address the topic of “Hey, Alice, how about you stay here in Cradle with us? :D”.

·        On the night of the full moon, they held a banquet with her favorite plates and desserts, almost making the girl cry from joyful surprise. They ate, and talk, and sing, and bet on who had the upper hand on arm wrestling (of course it was Seth, duh). And she was laughing. Smiling. She didn’t look sad.

·        But they knew better than that.

·        Finally, after serving a slice of cake on a plate and handing it to her, Sirius sit by her side, watching her with a warm smile on his face and ruffling her hair lightly, just like a doting older brother. She stared at him, cheeks full of cake and eyes full of curiosity.

·        “You can stay here, little lady.”

·        She stopped chewing, staring at him with an empty gaze. Sirius felt his heart throb in pain at the sight, and he put a hand on her shoulder, trying to pull her out of her anguish.

·        “We won’t let that man hurt you anymore.”

·        She swallowed, slowly.

·        “No more?”

·        He nodded, circling an arm around her shoulder and hugging her.

·        “You are safe here.”

·        “Safe?” She asked, her voice small and gentle. Sirius heard the table turn silent, the army’s attention on their conversation.

·        “Yes. You are safe here.”

·        It started with sniffles. Then slight sobs that soon turned into heavy ones, accompanied by thick tears. Her shoulders started shaking, and she hid her face with her two hands.

·        “C’mon, my dear Alice! You shouldn’t cry right now. We want to see your pretty smile and that gorgeous light on your eyes when you eat something yummy!” Seth joked, hugging her and patting her back. Still crying, she pressed her face against his shoulder, and he hugged her tighter. “You will waste Luka’s cake like this. I thought it was your favorite?”

·        “Do you not like my cake, Alice?” Luka asked, pretending to be upset.

·        “Uuuuuu, Alice is making Luka cry!” Fenrir chimed in, and Luka looked at him with annoyance.

·        “Your punishment for making Luka cry is another slice of cake, Alice.” Ray joked, stealing the cake that was in front of her, eating it himself.

·        “I’m not crying, though-

·        “C’mon, you guys.” Sirius scolded, caressing her blond hair. “Leave her alone for a moment, would you?”

·        “It’s okay.” She said, finally calming down. Moving away from Seth’s embrace, she dried her tears with a napkin, slowly raising her head. Her eyes and nose were red, and her cheeks were tear stained. Looking on Ray’s direction, she narrowed her eyes.

·        “How dare you steal my cake…”

·        Both start a game of tag, running around the table and fooling around just like little kids, eventually being joined by Fenrir and Seth.

·        Sirius only observes, scolding them with a gentle smile on his face.

[keepthisholykiss]

April 2021, Kageki, Ayaki Hikari’s “e to bun” translation - or - the one with all the Montague Information

Okay, alright I am back with another funky little casual and ~* fun *~ translation. Since Ayaki Hikari has an e to bun column right now I, of course, am under legal obligation to read it. Which means that I might as well go ahead and translate it for folks too. And boy, this one is important. If you’re at all interested in the very... very minor details of the background of Hoshigumi’s current production of Romeo and Juliet then I am happy to provide this content to you for the next three months. This month Akachan covered the entirety of the Montagues. By the sounds of it she will hopefully be covering the Capulets next month so look out for that or whatever else it could be when I translate that next month. For now, I leave you with this monstrosity of content, please do enjoy. And know that, yes, I tried my damnedest to make a chart of these relationships and it was just too messy I could not make it work so, good luck.

The Situation in Verona, As I Reveal It - Ayaki Hikari (title credited to: Iroha Reo) Hello to all the readers of Kageki. My name is Ayaki and I am Benvolio in the B Cast of “Romeo and Juliet.” I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the profiles of all my Montague friends in the same style as “Takarazuka Otome.”  Each person answered the following questions: (1) Role (2) Family structure (3) Is there someone you are in love with? That you are friends with? (4) Points of interest that we hope you, the audience, will find helpful or enjoy when watching the play. Shizuki Otone: (1) Mia (2) Kozakura Honoka’s older sister 😊 (3) Benvolio, of course haha ❤️❤️❤️ (4) In “Kirei wa Kitanai” I get to see Benvolio, so I am hoping to show him there that I like him!! Sazanami Reira: (1) Luka (2) I have 3 younger sisters. (Otosaki Itsuki, her twin Ruri Hanaka, and Hoshisaki Nozomi) (3) I don’t build closer friendships with my peers in town, but instead with all the girls. (4) I try to see all the faces of the Montagues in every number. Otosaki Itsuki: (1) Lucia (2) A brother, Sazanami Reira-san. Sisters, Ruri Hanaka and Hoshisaki Nozomi. (3) From the Capulets...Hiroka Yuu-san! (4) My agonizing battle with Hiroka-san during the the duel 💔! Takuto Rei: (1) Illy (2) An only child (3) I don’t have a girlfriend, I like all the girls! (4) I have hair with cornrows! Since I am graduating I decided to try a style that’s new and I won’t be able to have forever! Asamizu Ryou: (1) Bloom (2) Hiroki Yuzuha is my brother. (3) I don’t have a girlfriend. I’m a person who listens to everyone’s problems and helps them with their love life. My best friend is Otosaki! (4) My hairstyle! I have a cross in the back of it, so try to find it! Yuunagi Ryou: (1) Bruno (2) I have a younger brother (Hayato Reo)! Ayane Miran is my younger sister, and I am childhood friends with Hanayuki Rira. (3) I have no girlfriends, but I do have a crush on Otosaki Itsuki-san. (4) After being slapped by Otosaki-san in “Kirei wa Kitanai” I had to learn how to do a successful backwards roll. Minato Rihi: (1) Pos Savin (2) No family (Orphan) (3) Romeo (4) The hairstyle is based on a manga character. The braid changes depending on the day, so if you find me please take a look at the hairstyle too. Hanayuki Rira: (1) Maria (2) No family members. Best friends with Otosaki-san, childhood friends with Yuunagi Ryou. (3) I have a crush on Romeo...❤️ (4) This is not the usual Hanayuki, I have a fighting, powerful, look behind my eyes! Kozakura Honoka: (1) Carla (2) I’m Shizuki Otone-san’s sister! (3) I like Mercutio. I don’t know if as a friend or… as a more than that? (4) I look like I have short hair, but it’s actually straight, long hair! It’s a wolf-cut hairstyle! Hayato Reo: (1) Nicolo (2) I am the younger brother of Yuunagi Ryou! (3) I don’t have a love… (4) I am very strong! Kirari An (A Cast): (1) Julia (2) Asakura Shizuku’s sister. (4) My earrings were given to me by Lady Montague! Asakura Shizuku (A Cast): (1) Sophia (2) Kirari An’s sister. (3) I have a crush on Mercutio. (4) The part when I get to be involved with Mercutio during “Les Rois du monde.” Amato Kanon (B Cast): (1) Eve (2) Soua Takeru’s twin brother. (3) I like Ouka Rurina without realizing it and mistakenly think she likes me back. (4) Sometimes it can feel like me and Soua Takeru really are twins. Kuresaki Rino: (B Cast): (1) Sophie (2) I am an only child and a childhood friend of Yuran Sui. (3) There are some people I like, but I don’t really feel a connection with them. So I am looking for someone. (4) I don’t want to fight my troupemate Sumika Amane, in the duel, but I have to fight with her. I’m hoping to express this conflict to her through my heart so that we can reconcile in the end through our performance! Soua Takeru (B Cast): (1) Adam (2) I am Amaton Kanon’s twin brother. (3) I temporarily fell in love with Hoshisaki Nozomi but I am easily distracted. (4) Sometimes I feel like me and Amato Kanon are really twins. Houma Toa (A Cast): (1) Chuck (2) I am one of three siblings. The second is a younger brother (Taiki Hayate) who is two years younger than me. And the third is a younger sister (Ayane Miran) who is strong-willed and cute. (3) I have a childhood best friend (Ruri Hanaka) that I’m thinking of marrying some day… ❤️. (4) I have had natural perm-style hair from birth! I am a hot-blooded man with a short temper, but I also have a passionate heart and love my friends. Ruri Hanaka (A Cast): (1) Kiara (meaning “bright”) (2) My brother Sazanami Reira, my first sister Otosaki Itsuki, and my other sister Hoshisaki Nozomi. (3) I will marry my best friend Houma Toa some day. (4) The feeling of performing between the sky and the cobblestones that can be seen between the houses and throughout the city of Verona. Hiroki Yuzuha (A Cast): (1) Dante (2) My brother is Asamizu Ryou. (3) I don’t have a significant other, but I have love for Benvolio as well as my brother! (4) My goal is to be more mature in my appearance and playful while acting. I want to portray a character of a younger brother that is trying to grow up. Yuran Sui (B Cast): (1) Laura (2) I am an only child. But my childhood friend is Kuresaki Rino. (3) I have always had a crush on Mercutio. (4) In the duel, I want to express that I know it is a meaningless fight. But I pretend not to notice this feeling and become driven by hatred and a need for power. Hoshisaki Nozomi (B Cast): (1) Katerina (2) My brother Sazanami Reira, my sister Otosaki Itsuki, and my twin sister Ruri Hanaka. (3) I like Romeo before I realize it. (4) The hair arrangement of my bangs and my leg lifts during the duel. Ayane Miran (A Cast): (1) Eva (2) I am the younger sister of Hayato Reo and Yuunagi Ryou. (4) I hate the Capulets with every fiber of my being. Aone Towa (A Cast): (1) Rick (2) I’m an only child and a childhood friend of Ayane Miran. (3) My dream is to be like Mercutio. ✨ (4) I’m trying out having short hair for the first time! Mitsurugi Kai (B Cast): (1) Jeff (2) I am an only child. (3) I’m looking for someone. (4) I’m a bit of a jerk so I mess with everyone at different times. Kishou Kazuto (B Cast): (1) Chopper (2) Ouka Rurina is my childhood friend. (4) Some choreography in “Les Rois du monde.” Ouka Rurina (B Cast): (1) Rudy (3) I am secretly in love with Romeo. (4) I do everything with the best of my ability! Taiki Hayate (A Cast): (1) Energy (2) Houma Toa is my brother and Ayane Miran is my sister! (3) I care for my sister Ayane Miran! (4) Some choreography in “Les Rois du monde.” Whew, I managed to introduce everyone… Next month, I want to keep revealing more of the situation in Verona!

[sokkadora]

no matter where you are — sokka x reader x zuko

prologue; the wager.

summary: in the cranefish town, sokka, (y/n) and zuko have been friends ever since childhood. although their lives have taken different paths — (y/n) was sent to the ba sing se, zuko joined the military, and sokka studied to become a bullfighter — one thing remains the same: sokka and zuko both want to marry (y/n). little does the trio know that battling husband-and-spouse deities have made a high-stakes wager on the love triangle's outcome.

a/n: the book of life au!! eeee this has been in my brain for so MANY different fandoms and i’m so glad i finally wrote it down so it’s out of my system 😭

wc: 4.6k

warning(s): none

The elderly tour guide, Thomas, glanced at his watch with a smile. “Last tour of the day.” He mumbles to himself as he pulled his sign out of his pocket. “I wonder why nobody wants them.” Then, a bus shows up.

He flinches and shakes at the bus’s sudden arrival before a boy shoots a spitball in his face. “Bull's-eye!” He grins, making the other kids laugh.

As the kids leave the bus, a little blonde girl; Sasha, greets Thomas. “Hi, super old guy!” She grins, showing off her missing tooth.

“A museum? Again?” Another kid groans, “At least theres cool Avatar stuff here.” He mumbles, and another kid nods in agreement.

“The Avatar’s just a myth, man.” The emo kid, Luka, groans. “I hate stuff.”

“Oh, boy.” Thomas mumbles.

“It's okay, Thomas.” A voice speaks from the stairs of the museum. Thomas turns around to see his friend, Radha. “I'll take them.” She smiles warmly.

“Are you sure?” Thomas asks warily, before whispering, “I think these are the detention kids.” Another spitball hits him.

“Don't you worry. I can handle them.” Radha places a hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “You go take your break.”

“Thanks.” Thomas leaves with a smile.

One of the kids shoots some spitballs but Radha blocks quickly them with the sign. She twirls the sign to the side that says ‘Follow me’.

“Follow me, kids.” Radha says, heading up the stairs. The kids look at each other in surprise then follow Radha up the steps to the door but to their surprise, she turns right.

“Yo, lady!” Sanjay exclaims, gesturing to the front door. “The museum door is that way.”

“Yes, it is, but you aren't like the other kids.” They glance at each other as Radha smirks. “Oh, no, no, no. You need to see something special.” Sasha giggles happily, her blonde curls bouncing as she and the other kids walk over. Radha gestures to the brick wall. “Right through that door.” The kids look confused.

Jane raises a brow. “You're seeing things, lady.”

Radha smiles knowingly. “Am I?” She steps behind the wall. “Or are you not seeing things?” The kids look amazed. “Come on.” The kids follow Radha through the hole in the wall and down a corridor.

“Now, today is a very special day.” Radha states, glancing at the kids over her shoulder. “Does anyone here know why that date is important?”

Sasha skips up next to Radha excitedly. “Taco Tuesday!” She exclaims, making the other kids laugh.

Radha chuckles. “No.”

“Gorge yourself on Halloween candy day?” Jane says, and a candy drops out of a kids mouth.

“Nope.” Radha smiles. “Today is the day Wan became the first Avatar.”

“Wait. Is that national hero day or something?” Luka asks, doing a superhero pose and making the kids laugh.

Just then, a security guard named Vance jumps out, scaring the kids. Radha remains unfazed.

“You can't go this way!” Vance raises a scolding finger, clutching his flashlight. “You will get us both in trouble. Ancient rules of the... museum administration.” Radha strokes his chin, and he smiles dreamily. “Well, I suppose I could turn a blind eye, my... Dear.”

Radha and the other kids move on but Vance notices Sasha looking at him so he scares her off. “Behold, children, the glorious beauty of the history of Cranefish Town!”

The kids and Radha walk along the room looking at the artifacts in amazement.

Janes eyes widen. “This place is loco...”

Jane and Sanjay look at a wall with hyroglyphs on it. “So many pictures!” Sanjay comments.

Luka shrugs. “At least that part isn't lame.”

Sasha climbs some steps to a big book sat the roots of a tall golden tree painted on the walls. She gapes as the other kids join her. “What is this book?”

Radha kneels down next to her. “That is the Book of Life. All the world is made of stories... and all of those stories are right here.” Radha opens the book, and the pages glow brightly. “This book holds many truths. Some are actually true.”

Sasha raises an eyebrow and purses her lips. “The battle of Sozin and Roku?”

“Like Sozin’s Comet!” Sanjay nods.

Radha also nods. “And some, not so much.”

“Tigerdillos, the legendary goat suckers?” Jane reads.

Luka gapes. “I have to get one.” The other kids laugh at his antics.

“Now, although you may doubt some of these stories...” Radha smiles, turning the pages to a certain story. “There is one thing that we know for certain. Earth is the center of the universe. And long ago, in the center of Earth... was the quaint little town, Cranefish Town.”

“Hey, we live there!” Sasha grinned.

“Close, but we live in Republic City.” Radha smiles warmly at Sasha. “But it did used to be Cranefish Town!”

“Now, naturally, since Cranefish Town was the center of the universe,” Radha explained. “directly below it laid the Land of the Remembered! A festive and magical place for those who live on in the memories of their loved ones!” Radha smiles, as the kids smile happily. “And below that, lies the Land of the Forgotten.” Radha’s tone turns serious and grave. “The sad and lonely destination for those poor souls, who are no longer remembered.”

“But before I can properly begin our story, you need to meet the two magical rulers of these realms.” Radha turns away from the book and faces the children again. She gestures up to a painting with a woman in it in the branches of the tree.

Sasha smiles. “Who is that?”

“That is Raava.” Radha smiles softly at Sasha. “She is made out of light and everything sweet.”

Luka smiles dreamily. “She's so pretty.”

“She is, isn't she?” Radha smiles softly, nodding at Luka. “She loves all mankind and believes that their hearts are pure and true.” She gestures to a painting across the tree from Raava, that holds a grumpy man. “And that is Vaatu. That charming rascal thinks mankind is not so pure, just like him.”

Sasha rocks back and forth on the balls of her feet. “He looks spooky.”

Radha nods. “Yes, he's made out of tar and everything icky in the whole world.” She explains.

Luka smiles dreamily again. “He's so... pretty.” The kids laugh as Jane scoots away.

“What about the weirdo with the beard-o?” Jane asks, pointing to the yellow man with a large beard and smile at the top of the tree.

“That is the Candle Maker.” Radha says. “He keeps everything in balance. He's made out of wax and has a beard full of clouds.”

Jane raises an amused brow. “Clouds?”

“All right. Let me show you something else.” Radha chuckles, moving over to a chest and unlocking it, revealing little wooden figurines. “All of these wooden figures here... they represent real people in our story, just like you and me. And so, our tale begins on the day the people of Cranefish Town call... Rememberance Day.”

(Y/n) and her friends, Sokka and Zuko stand together posing with your swords and Sokka’s guitar raised high in the air. They all grinned at each other.

“No retreat,” Zuko exclaimed, looking to (Y/n) and Sokka.

You and Sokka grinned back. “No surrender!” And they ran back into the town.

“On this festive, enchanted day,” Radha narrates. “families bring food and offerings to the altars of their beloved.”

“It's like a hundred birthday parties.” Sasha giggles.

Radha smiles widely. “Yes, it is. And on this particular Remembrance Day after centuries of being banished... Vaatu had had enough.”

　　　　　　　　　　———

Vaatu and Raava rise up from their graves, “Really, my dear you have no idea how cold and vile the Land of the Forgotten has become.” Vaatu complains, moving towards the other brightly lit graves.

Raava chuckles. “Just like your heart, Vaatu.” She smirks. “Just like your heart.”

Vaatu passes by a family, extinguishing the candles and then, Raava relights them with a wave of her hand.

“Why must I rule a bleak wasteland while you enjoy the endless fiesta in the Land of the Remembered?” Vaatu’s wings spread in exasperation. “It's simply unfair.”

Vaatu goes to touch a man when Raava slaps him on the hand, stopping him.

“Vaatu!” She scolds.

“What? It's his time.” Raava walks away as Vaatu smirks at the man. “More or less.”

Raava tsks, “Not today, my love.”

“Come on, my dear.” Vaatu begs. “Trade lands with me. I beg you!”

Raava coos, “You're so cute when you beg.” Her tone turns harsh as she places a sassy hand on her hip.

“I'm serious. I hate it down there, it’s worse than the Tree of Time.” Vaatu groans.

“Hey! You're there because you cheated!” Raava scolds, moving forward with a glare. “You made your bed with that wager. You're not the man I fell in love with all those centuries ago.”

“Let's not dwell in the past, mi amor.” Vaatu says sheepishly as Raava growls. “Anyway, I was thinking... How about another little wager?”

“You think you can calm the flames of my anger with another bet?!” Raava exclaims, her eyes flaring up before smirking. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

Vaatu chuckles and leads her up to a rooftop. “Let's check out the menu for the evening. Look there, my love.” He points to (Y/n), Sokka and Zuko. “Classic mortal dilemma. Two boys. Best friends, no less.”

Raava smirks. “Oh, in love with the same girl.” She finishes.

Sokka is about to play his guitar when Zuko interrupts by standing in front of him. “Fear not, little lady. Your hero has arrived!”

(Y/n) smiles coyly. “Is that so?”

“How dare you interrupt a guitarrista?” Sokka smiles. Zuko stabs at Sokka with his sword but Sokka dodges out the way several times, causing Zuko to fall over. He heads over to (Y/n), who giggles.

Zuko shoves him away. “The girl is mine!”

Sokka and Zuko begin dueling with their sword and guitar. “Never! She is mine.”

(Y/n) hops down from the rock and pushes them down. “I belong to no one.” She says sternly, crossing her arms as the boys gape at her.

Vaatu smirks at a cooing Raava. “I believe we have our wager. Which boy will marry her?”

Raava smiles. “Very well. We will each choose one of these boys as our champion.” They fly down to the graves and disguise themselves as an old man and woman.

Vaatu and Raava link arms, “Let's go wish them luck.”

“(Y/n), weren't you grounded?” Sokka asks, strapping his guitar back onto his back.

(Y/n) scoffs. “My father is overreacting.” She chuckles. “How was I supposed to know that chickens don't like baths?”

A chicken appears, clucking and making bubbles appear, causing her to jump.

Zuko sidles up next to her. “Don't worry. He knows a real man is protecting you tonight.”

“You're not even close.” (Y/n) raises a playful brow.

“But I have a moustache.” Zuko gasps.

Sokka chuckles. “Yeah, just like your sister.”

He and (Y/n) shove Zuko, knocking his fake moustache off. He catches it and puts it back on but it tilts to one side, causing the three friends to laugh.

“(Y/n)!”

“Sokka!”

The three friends bid each other goodbye before Sokka and (Y/n) run to their families leaving Zuko alone. Sokka runs across the cemetery to him father, Hakoda, his sister, Katara and his Gran-Gran, Kanna, who are stood next to the grave of his mother, Kya.

“Come here, kiddo.” Hakoda gestures for Sokka to join them, and he runs up next to Katara. Hakoda places a hand on the siblings shoulders. “Your mother would be so proud of you two.”

“You think she'll come back tonight, Daddy?” Katara sniffs, gripping Sokka’s hand tightly. Sokka wraps an arm around his sister sadly.

Kanna smiles, “Kya is here.”

Hakoda nods as he kneels. “But it's more like...” A pause before he begins again. “like a warm feeling you get when loved ones are with you.” He gestures to everyone around them. “All of these families have lost someone. But as long as we remember them, we can feel their presence with us for one night each year.”

“I just thought I might see her one more time.” Sokka frowns deeply, he sadly picks a one of the flowers off the grave. Sokka breathes in deeply, remembering the little things about Kya. “She always smelled like flowers.”

“I remember her singing.” Katara said quietly.

“She was a good woman, that one.” Kanna nods.

Sokka’s voice cracks as he slowly walks off. “I miss her so much.”

Hakoda follows and kneels next to him as Katara joins them too. “Just be still, and you can feel it. Your mother is here, along with all our ancestors.” Katara and Sokka join hands sadly as they both close their eyes. “As long as we remember them, they are with us. The moment we forget them, they are truly gone.”

Sokka has a small smile on his face as he opens his eyes. “I can feel them.” He whispers.

“Kind people,” An older woman speaks, drawing their attention. “may I please have a bit of your bread? I am so hungry.”

Sokka graciously gives it to her. “I'm sure mama would want you to have it.” She takes the bread and Sokka turns back to Hakoda with a smile. “Right, Dad?” Hakoda nods.

“Thank you, my dear.” Raava smiles warmly. “In return, you have my blessing. May your heart be always pure and courageous.”

“What do we say, Sokka?” Hakoda smiles.

Sokka clasps his hands together politely. “Thank you, ma’am. Thank you.”

Nearby, Zuko is watching. “Ah, Sokka. Always giving away stuff for free. Right, Uncle?” Zuko looks at a statue of his father, Captain Iroh, which stands tall and proud over him rearing up on his horse. Zuko salutes as his sister cackles behind him.

“Zuko’s uncle, Captain Iroh,” Radha narrates. “Had passed away fighting the fearsome bandit known as Ozai.”

Just then, a menacing chuckle is heard and Zuko grabs his toy sword and jumps into a doorway, his fake moustache coming off in the wind. He steps cautiously inside as Azula runs off to be with Ty Lee.

Zuko glares inside cautiously, “Who's in there?”

Vaatu, in his old man disguise, appears from the shadows, startling Zuko. “Young sir, may I please have some of your bread? I'm so hungry.”

Zuko picks up a load with his sword. “This bread is for my father. And it's delicious.”

“Well, perhaps you would consider a trade?” Vaatu holds up a glowing green medal; The Medal of Everlasting Life.

“An old medal?” Zuko scoffs. “Please.” He chomps on the bread.

“This is no ordinary medal, my boy.” Vaatu smirks. “As long as you wear it, you cannot be hurt. And it will give you immeasurable courage.”

“Really?” Zuko eyes the medal greedily. “Deal.”

Zuko takes the medal and gives Vaatu the bread. “But keep it hidden.” Vaatu warns. “There is a bandit king who would stop at nothing to get it back.”

“Bandit king? You mean Ozai?” Zuko asks, but Vaatu is gone. “Where did he go?”

Vaatu chuckles as he regroups with Raava. “So, then, if my boy marries the girl... I will finally rule the Land of the Remembered.”

“And if my boy marries the girl, you will...” Vaatu gets smitten until Raava pulls on his beard harshly. “You will stop interfering with the affairs of man!”

“What? I can't do that! Come on. It's the only fun I ever get!” Vaatu whines.

Raava smiles cockily. “Then the bet is off.”

Seeing the cheekiness in Raava's words, Vaatu sees another opportunity to cheat and goes after her.

“Very well, my dear. By the ancient rules,” He reaches out a hand. “The wager is set.” They shake hands as lightning strikes.

　　　　　　　　　　　———

“And, so, the greatest wager in history began.” Radha smiles, placing the little figure of a 10 year old (Y/n) between a 10 and 11 year old Sokka and Zuko. “Sokka versus Zuko for the hand of (Y/n).”

“Wait. So these ancient gods picked three little kids to like—“ Luka starts.

Sanjay finishes, “Represent the whole world?”

Radha nods, chuckling. “Yeah. Pretty crazy, right?”

Luka nods rapidly. “Yeah! Keep going, lady.”

　　　　　　　　　　———

(Y/n), Sokka and Zuko run along together happily. (Y/n) slides down a stair banister followed by Zuko who simply summersaults to the bottom. Sokka trips and falls down the steps. He picks up his guitar and runs after them. (Y/n) runs past a pen and skids to a stop upon seeing something.

(Y/n) smiles softly. “You're so cute.”

A pink piglet stares at her with big eyes. (Y/n) then hears blades being clashed together and sees a butcher sharpening knives before looking up at pictures of pigs being roasted then back at the pig.

(Y/n) glares at the butcher. “Oh, no. Not on my watch.” She turns to Zuko and Sokka. “We have to free the animals!” Manolo and Joaquin look confused as (Y/n) raises her sword. “Come on, you guys! Let's do this!”

Sokka eagerly raises his dagger. “Yeah!”

Zuko tries to stop her. “Hold on, (Y/n). Don't!”

But it's too late. She cuts the gate open.

In the town square, General (L/n), (Y/n)’s father, speaks to the people. “People of Cranefish Town, please! I beg you. After the revolution, we need more volunteers to join this mighty brigade! A heroic brigade to protect us from Ozai.”

A boy screams. “Ozai is here!”

The people gasps and see a little pig bouncing into view. Everyone sighs in relief until...

“Freedom!” (Y/n) shouts as she rides in on a pig, Sokka and Zuko right behind her. The animals knock through the people, knocking over crates and other plants.

(Y/n)’s father looks around in dismay. “(Y/n), what have you done now?” He exclaims.

“Freedom is coming through!” (Y/n) squeals, raising her sword excitedly, before gasping at the sight of her dad.

General (L/n) holds his hands out, “Stop!” He shouts.

Zuko grabs Sokka and they bump into General (L/n), knocking him over and before they tumble into fruit baskets. Then, Zuko sees a wild boar heading right for General (L/n).

Zuko gasps. “Oh, no!”

Thinking quickly, Zuko runs forward, pushes past the soldiers and pushes General (L/n) out of the way just in time as the boar rams into him. He slides backward but remains unharmed much to the astonishment of the townsfolk. He smiles at his medal. The boar turns to a woman.

She gasps. “Oh, dear.”

Zuko smirks, placing his hands on his hips. “No retreat.”

Sokka smirks. “No surrender.” Sokka grabs a scarf from a lady and uses it as a cape. “Toro! Toro!” He shouts.

The woman runs away to the others to watch. The boar charges at Sokka but he dodges out of the way. Hakoda sees this with amazement.

Hakoda smiles proudly. “He has the gift.”

The boar charges at a soldier and hits him before coming at Sokka again but again, the Inuit boy dodges out of the way.

“Great form, son!” Hakoda cheers.

The boar continuously charges at Sokka but he keeps dodging, even running and jumping off the soldier's back to impress the crowd. Sokka uses the scarf to parachute to the ground and stands determinedly in front of the boar again. The boar comes at him one final time but Sokka dodges out of the way with ease, causing the boar to run into a wall, knocking itself out. The crowd cheers.

Hakoda grins widely, raising an arm in triumph. “That's my son!”

Katara jumps happily. “That’s my big brother!” She smiles.

“Thank you, Sokka.” The woman from earlier smiles.

General (L/n) groans. “Oh, my. What did I miss?” He asks as his vision slowly stops spinning.

“You okay, sir?” Zuko asks.

(Y/n)’s father smiles, placing a hand on Zuko’s shoulder. “You have saved my life.”

Sokka walks up with the baby pig in his arms. “And I—“

General (L/n) shushes him. “Quiet, boy. I'm talking.”

Sokka frowns. “But I—“

General (L/n) glares. “Quiet.” He looks around distraught at the chaos the animals are causing. (Y/n) cowers in a corner. “That girl is in so much trouble!”

(Y/n) cowers in a corner. “Uh oh.”

General (L/n) shouts, “(Y/n)!”

(Y/n) comes out of hiding sheepishly. “I'm sorry, Papa. It's just that I—“ (Y/n) gasps, dropping her play sword at the sight of Sokka’s instrument. “Sokka's guitar.” Sokka gasps too.

General (L/n) steps closer as she picks up the boys broken guitar. “(Y/n)!” She straightens up with a gasp. “This rebellious nonsense ends now! You are going to become a proper lady.”

(Y/n) looks confused. “Why?”

General (L/n) shouts, “Because I said so! I'm sending you to Ba Sing Se. The sisters at the Convent of the Perpetual Flame of Purity will straighten you out.”

Zuko and Sokka gasp. “What?” They hated that their best friend was just being ripped from them.

(Y/n)‘s voice cracks as she speaks. “But, Papa!”

General (L/n) shakes his head. “No. It is decided. Now go home!”

(Y/n), upset, runs off crying and carrying Sokka's broken guitar passing Hakoda on the way, who looks sympathetic as Katara waves at her.

General (L/n) turns to Zuko. “Zuko, you are so much like your uncle.” Zuko looks at the statue of his uncle. “This town could use a new hero. Come. You are like the son I never had. My boy, your uncle was like a brother to me.”

Zuko follows General (L/n) and smiles at Sokka before carrying on. The woman Sokka grabbed the scarf from grabs it back and the pig jumps out of his arm and pees on his shoe. Sokka is about to walk away when Hakoda stops him.

“Hey! Where do you think you're going?” Hakoda chuckles, placing a hand on Sokka’s shoulder as he kneels.

“He can't send (Y/n) away.” Sokka cries, looking in the direction (Y/n)’s father ran off in desperately.

Hakoda sighs. “Well, fathers do what's best for their children. I’m sending Katara there too, Sokka.” Sokka turns his head in surprise. “Now, come along.”

Sokka, the pig and Hakoda head out of the square together. “Son, I saw how you fought that beast. You made our ancestors proud.”

Sokka grins. “Do you think (Y/n) was impressed?”

“(Y/n) and every girl in town.” Hakoda chuckles, running a hand through his hair as Sokka smiles happily. “People said I was the greatest bullfighter in our family's history... But it is you, my son, who will be the greatest Enuaraq ever! They will write songs about you!”

“And I will sing them!” Sokka exclaims happily, raising his arms in the air happily.

Hakoda shake his head in disbelief. “Wait, what?”

Sokka repeats his words shyly. “I will sing them?”

Hakoda scoffs. “Son, music is not work fit for a Enuaraq bullfighter.” He frowns.

Sokka frowns too. “But I want to be a musician.”

Hakoda places his hands on Sokka’s shoulder. “No. You must focus. Your training begins at once. Your grandpa, Jaco, taught me when I was about your age.”

Sokka raises a brow. “Wait, isn't that when that bull put you in a coma?”

Hakoda smiles fondly as he rises. “Memories. My only son fighting angry, thousand-pound beasts. The family tradition continues.”

Sokka cheers flatly. “Yay.” The pig gets a scent as they walk off, then follows them again.

“And so, the day came when (Y/n) would leave to study abroad.” Radha narrates. “The three amigos would be no more.”

Hakoda helped Katara onto the train as everyone started saying their goodbyes to you. “Goodbye, (Y/n).” The nuns smile, patting her head fondly.

General (L/n) hugs his daughter. “Goodbye, kiddo. Write soon.” (Y/n) kisses him on the cheek and he covers his mouth as he walks away, holding back a cry. “I'm going to go over there.”

She turns to her little brother, Aang, kissing his forehead and embracing him wordlessly as he sniffs into her dress. “I love you.” He whispers.

“I love you too, Aang.” She kisses his forehead again before he walks to their father.

(Y/n) turns to Sokka and Zuko, who are wearing nicer clothes and sad looks. She sighs. “I'm gonna miss you guys.”

(Y/n) hugs Zuko first. “We'll be here, waiting.”

(Y/n) then hugs Sokka, who’s eyes are filled with tears. “For as long as it takes.” He whispers into her ear.

(Y/n) takes Sokka’s hands. “Don't ever stop playing, okay?” Sokka nods, and (Y/n) turns to Zuko. “And you. Don't you ever stop fighting for what's right.��� Zuko nods.

Sokka hands (Y/n) a box. “I got you a present. You should probably open it now.” He smiles.

“Wait a second.” Zuko shakes his head. “We were supposed to bring gifts?”

Sokka laughs and you smile fondly at him. (Y/n) opens the box to find the little pig she rescued. She gasps and smiles warmly at Sokka. “I named him Nuna. He'll look after you.”

(Y/n) slowly reaches in and picks Nuna up. “Oh, I remember you.” She cooed, patting the pigs stomach.

“I figured you needed a little part of town to go with you.” Sokka shrugged, blushing as he put the box down.

She squeezes Nuna tight, smiling gratefully at Sokka, who try’s to remember every part of it. “Thank you.” She whispers.

“Seriously, no one told me about bringing gifts.” Zuko repeated as she shyly approached him.

(Y/n) held up Nuna. “Can you hold Nuna for me?” Zuko hesitantly takes the pig, as (Y/n) picks up a rectangular box. “This is to make up for breaking your guitar.”

The train toots and the conductor shouts, “All aboard!”

(Y/n) gasps, “I gotta go.” She sniffs as she runs onto the train, taking the window seat next to Katara. “Don't forget me!” She shouts as her bonnet flies off.

“(Y/n)! Your bonnet!” Zuko shouts, running after it without hesitation.

Sokka opens his gift, and gasps upon seeing a new guitar, which up obviously painted by you. He picked it up excitedly with a loving smile, reading the inscription on the body of the guitar that said, ‘Always play from the heart. ♡ (Y/n).’ Sokka hugged the guitar happily.

(Y/n) let Katara rest on her lap, squeezing her eyes shut to prevent any tears from rolling down. She doesn’t wanna leave her home.

The train starts taking off before she hears Sokka’s voice. “(Y/n)!” He shouts. (Y/n) turns to look out the window, a wide grin taking the place of the frown at the sight of Sokka running after the train with his new guitar. “When you come back I will sing for you!”

Zuko joins Sokka quickly. “And I will fight for you!” He adds. (Y/n) settles back down with a hopeful smile, leaning back against the seat.

Radha narrates once again. “It would be years before they would see (Y/n) again.”

Sokka runs a bit further after Zuko stops and turns back. A smile crawls onto his face. “I will wait for you.” He mutters.

Years do go by. 8 years to be exact. Sokka and Zuko are both at completely different careers, Sokka still trying to be the bullfighter Hakoda wants, and Zuko, a warrior. The hero of Cranefish Town.

Studying in Ba Sing Se had been fun at times, but that was only when (Y/n) was with Katara. She was a big sense of home given she was Sokka’s little sister. The two had grown very close, and were very eager to finally be returning home.

Sokka strums his guitar that (Y/n) gave him, spinning back to back with three other musicians in the town square as he sang, “I will wait, I will—“

Hakoda snatches his ear, dragging him towards the ring. “I will not wait for you!”

“Papa, I was on my way.” Sokka cries out, still being dragged by the ear.

“After years of training,” Radha started. “Sokka’s father organized his first bullfight which, as luck would have it... was on the day that (Y/n) returned.”

[unmaskedagain]

Agent Marinette

Okay I have struggled all week with a massive case of Writers block and today I beat it. This a crossover fic. Guess it by the end.

In retrospect, Marinette should’ve realized eventually other forces outside of Paris would take an interest in the masked heroine. At least they had been polite enough to wait until AFTER Hawkmoth was defeated.  

Marinette was eleven when she became the hero Ladybug. And her world shattered a bit.

Marinette was fourteen when Hawkmoth was finally defeated.

Marinette was fourteen when Ladybug retired. And her world shattered again, this time a bit more.

It had taken nearly every miraculous they had to take the villain down but eventually, Gabriel Agreste was taken down, his memories of the miraculous erased. (Nathalie with him) His son Adrien Agreste surrendered his own miraculous, his position as Chat Noir, and his own memories of being a hero and everything he’d ever learned of magic and Kwami. All to prevent his father from ever learning of them again.

However, erasing his memories of his life as Chat Noir, unavoidably included erasing his memories of his friendship Ladybug, with Marinette. A friendship that had grown stronger, in and outside the mask, over fighting the evil that haunted Paris back together. Keyword: together.

On the same day, Ladybug had lost her best friend, Marinette did too. Both lost the boy she thought she’d marry one day. They could never be together. She’d have to lie to him for the rest of their lives. Marinette would never be able to do that. And she wouldn’t let Adrien’s sacrifice be in vain.

So she distanced herself from him. She couldn’t look at him without seeing Chat Noir. She couldn’t look at him, knowing she knew just about everything about him but he knew nothing about her. To him, Marinette was just some girl in his class; a sort of friend he was never really that close to.

Strangers, really.

It was why Marinette transferred out of Bustier’s class. The best thing for her heart was to stay away.

Still, she thought in a way, it was a happy ending. The best happy ending she could get. Hawkmoth was gone. Paris was safe. Ladybug was retired. Fu had reclaimed all Kwami and had disappeared. The world was good.

Until it wasn’t. Until one rainy Thursday. Her parents had gone out for a date night. They never made it home. There had been an accident. The other driver had been drunk. The funeral was on a Tuesday.

Marinette’s world had shattered once again, more than ever before.

Marinette was an orphan.

Her grandmother Gina sold the bakery, put the money from the sale and the life insurance into an account for Marinette, and moved Marinette into a nearby apartment, and then was gone. Legally, the older woman was Marinette’s guardian. But otherwise, Marinette was on her own. It was fine. Her dad had always warned her that his mom was a free spirit who never liked to be tied down.

She would talk with her grandmother once every other month if she was lucky. They primarily only communicated through email. The reception was spotted in the parts of the world Gina like to frequent.

At only fourteen, Marinette got used to paying bills, buying groceries, and virtually being an adult. She got used to living alone. Just like she got used to not being a hero anymore. Just like she got used to not having any friends after Lila came knocking on the class’s door.

A year later, the young girl was thriving. Her grades were at the top of the school, right after Max. She was class treasurer and on the track team, having missed the feeling of running as fast she could. She started Kuoshu classes; her mother had always wanted her to learn Chinse martial arts for defense. And Marinette missed the adrenaline she used to get after a fight.

It was a good life. A simple life. Marinette had only normal life worries to be concerned about.

…Again, she really should’ve known the other shoe would drop eventually.

Still, no fifteen-year-old girl who was minding her own business, casually walking down the street, wanted to suddenly have a black bag over her and tossed into the back of a van. In fact, it was every girl, woman, and human being’s worst nightmare.

She was tied up. She was gagged. She couldn’t see. She couldn’t hear. Marinette had no idea how much time had passed. Or where they were taking her. Or who had taken her? She fought the tears that burned in her eyes as she struggled with the bonds around her hands. No matter how hard she tried, they wouldn’t break or budge. By the coldness of it, she knew she was either in handcuff or something similar made of metal.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, Marinette felt herself be picked up and carried. She struggled against her assailant. She tried to kick her with her bound legs, hit with her tied fists. Nothing.

Marinette found herself being lower onto something. A chair she quickly realizes as she pressed her back to it.

Suddenly, the metal band around her hands released. Marinette quickly pulled the black bag off her head, undid the tap around her mouth, and took the plugs out of her ears.

She was in a mostly black room that only lights overhead, a vent the size of a phone, the table she sat at, and a large mirror across from her. Marinette figured it was a two-way mirror-like on cop shows, and that she was being watched. However, what concerned her most was that there was no sign of any door. Just walls and that mirror.

There was no escape.

Marinette glared at the mirror, at whoever was behind it.

She didn’t know how long she waited as she plotted her escape. Considering all variables for when they came back to her. Would they have guns? How many people would there be? Could she fight her way out? And just who her kidnappers could be? Child traffickers? Serial killer? Her past enemy, Hawkmoth, comes back for revenge? Who?

When a portion of the wall, next to the mirror opened, Marinette tried not to flinch back in surprise.

In walked a man at least twice her age. He wore a black suit and tie with a serious expression on his face. He was handsome with short dark hair and dark eyes and cheekbones that could cut glass.

The door closed behind him once he stepped through. He said nothing as he sat down in the chair across from her. They started at each other silently.

           Marinette cracked first, “Who are you? What do you want? Where am I?”

           A small smile appeared on the man’s face, “You’re a very hard girl to track down, Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I’d have thought it would’ve been easier considering all you’ve done.” He had an American accent.

“Track? What?” Why would he want to track her down? “I didn’t do anything. Nothing! Okay?!”

           He gave her a curious look, “Really? Well, I wouldn’t call saving all of Paris on a nearly everyday basis for what two years, nothing.” He crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. “Don’t try to deny it. We have pictures, videos; evidence.”

           It was like someone had thrown ice water over her head. Marinette swallowed the lump that had built in her throat. “Who. Are. You.” She managed to get out.

“Me? I’m a friend,” He answered. “You can call me Black Heart.”

“Black Heart?” Marinette snorted. “You’re serious?”

“Oh because Ladybug is so much better,” He rolled his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I have questions. You’re going to answer them.”

           He wanted to know about the miraculous, she guessed. Or how she got her powers. Marinette crossed her arms, “I have nothing to say.”

           Black Heart chuckled and stood up. He put his hands on the table, “Listen very carefully, Marinette. Because there are only two ways we can do this.”

           Marinette smirked, “Is one of them the easy way?”

           A look she couldn’t recognize briefly flashed over Black Heart’s face but gone just as quick. “No,” He answered.

“Oh.”

“Who are you?” He asked her.

           She paused before answering, “…My name is Marinette but you know that. I was the hero Ladybug but you know that as well.”

“What happened to HawkMoth?”

           She felt fine answering that. However, she gave the same answer she gave to the press, “Hawkmoth was defeated. He was stripped of his powers and destroyed.”

“You killed him?”

           It wasn’t the first time Ladybug had been asked that question. “…Yes.” She lied though it didn’t feel like much of one. Hawkmoth was dead after all.

           Blackheart nodded. “What happened to Chat Noir? And the other heroes? Dead too?”

           Marinette fought to keep her face blank, her fists clenched. “Yes,” She said. “They were causalities of the final fight with Hawkmoth.” Technically not a lie. Every Parisian hero had given up their miraculous once and for all after Hawkmoth was gone. There was no need for them anymore.

           The man raised an eyebrow, “Gabriel Agreste is still very much alive last I checked.” She reared back as if slapped. “So is Adrien is otherwise known as Chat Noir. Alya Cesaire aka Rena Rouge, her turtle boyfriend. The monkey guy. The tiger. The snake; Luka, I believe. All alive and kicking. So much for that lie…”

“They were retired,” Marinette growled. “Permanently.”

“Truth,” Blackheart nodded. “How did you erase their memories?”

           It had taken the combined power of Fu, Marinette, Tikki, Wayzz, and Plagg to do it. “I didn’t do anything.”

           Black Heart gave her a hard look, “Where do your powers come from?”

           Marinette smiled, “I don’t have any powers.”

“Fine! Where do Ladybug’s powers come from?”

“I am Ladybug,” She told him. “And Ladybug doesn’t have any powers.”

“You mean anymore?”

           Marinette nodded slowly.

           Black Heart sat back in his chair, “You’re telling me that you busted your ass saving Paris for two years, only to have your powers taken from you? You were tossed to the side just like that? Like you were nothing? I’m supposed to believe that.”

“I wasn’t needed anymore.” By anyone.

“You took down one of the biggest threats to this world,” The man said. “You fought. You bled. You sacrificed everything. From what our intelligence has gathered, you even gave up the love of your young life. Only to be cast aside; alone, forgotten, abandoned…”

“That’s not what happened,” Marinette shook her head.”

“You weren’t useful anymore,” Blackheart tutted. “So you were thrown away; left to fend for yourself in a cold, cruel world. No friends, no family,”

“Shut up,” Marinette whispered.

The man leaned forward, “How many internships did you turn down because you were too busy being a hero? Two? Three?”

“Shut up!” She said louder.

“Wait, it was five. That’s right.” He continued on as if she said nothing. “Five internships with some of the biggest names in fashion today. And you gave it up. Now what you have to show for it? Nothing!” He said. “You live this mundane life halfheartedly, struggling to find your place again, trying to get back even a fraction of the feeling you had when you fighting for this world!”

“SHUT UP!” Marinette roared.

           Black Heart shook his head, “I asked you who you are. But I already know who you are. I know who you were. You were a hero, a martyr, a leader, a little princess who believed in fairytales and the goodness of people. You were someone who believed this world could still be saved! So I just want to know three things. I have three questions to ask you and then you never have to see me again! You can go back to pretending to be whatever the hell you want. I don’t care.”

“What?” Marinette asked. “What could you possibly want to know?” Need to know that he didn’t already. “Huh? Just tell me!”

“Do you still believe this world can be saved?”

Silence.

“…What?”

“Answer the question.”

Marinette blinked, “Yes. I do.”

“Are you still willing to fight for it?” Black Heart asked.

“Always.”

           He smiled, and leaned back in his chair, “Last question… What do you know about Shield?”

           Well, that was a twist. Marinette’s eyes went wide. She knew a lot about shield. More than any normal teenage girl should. But a former Ladybug had been an Agent. And Tikki told her everything... It was founded by Peggy Carter and Howard Stark. Shield started the Avengers. They had been protecting the world for decades.

“A lot,” Marinette answered. “What do you want?

           The man gave her a small smile, “World peace.”

           The doors of the room opened again in walked a beautiful young woman with long hair a bright smile on her face, “You done traumatizing the poor girl yet.”

           The man groaned, “Dammit, Skye.”

           Marinette officially joined Shield the next day.

           Skye showed her the ropes and explained until she garnered some trust, most would give her their full name; maybe only even their code name.

           In another life, Skye hadn’t joined Shield until she was well into her twenties. In this life, she was recruited by a woman named Hill as soon as she graduated high school. It had been nearly ten years since. Skye had met Black Heart when she was about three years in, and they had disliked each other.

           Now they mostly tolerated the others’ existence. Only really dealing with each other on missions.

           Skye would be gone the next day. And Marinette would only see her once in a blue moon.

           Marinette would withdraw from school and finish her education taught by some of the greatest minds in the world. She would give up her apartment, and leave Paris. She would call her grandmother one last time for what would be months to let her know she was going to travel the world; her grandmother was pleased as she had done the same when she was not much older than Marinette. Gina disregarded the fact that she had been a legal adult at the time.

           It would be the last call she made from her phone. The line was disconnected and the phone tossed.

           Then she visited the place that had been her parents’ bakery, not their graves; because she would rather remember them alive, happy, and loving, then dead in the ground. And she told them goodbye.

           Before leaving Paris for good, she dropped off a perfectly wrapped green and black present off at the Agreste home. Adrien’s birthday was coming up. Inside the gift box was a black leather jacket with cat-shaped buttons. She handed the gift to Nathalie.

           This time, however, Marinette was quick to tell the older woman that MDC was sewn inside on the jacket; multiple times.

           Then she walked away; not looking back once.

It was the last thing Adrien would ever get from her. The last thing he would unknowingly have of Chat Noir. Ironically, the masked hero the blond had come to idolize in recent times.

The jacket was all she could give him of his as a hero, and not even a fraction of all she had wished to give him.

           One day he would forget her altogether. One day she would just be a random former classmate of his whose name he couldn’t quite remember.

           However, Marinette would never forget Adrien Agreste and Chat Noir. She would remember when Adrien was Chat Noir, one of the greatest heroes Paris would ever know. And she would remember Chat Noir was Adrien, and Adrien proved to be a greater hero than even he ever dared dream Chat Noir would be.

           Marinette would remember because she owed him that much at least.

           The night she left Paris would be the last time she dreamed of a life with Adrien. A life where they got to grow old together; one where wedding bells were heard. And he’d kiss her every time she left. And she’d kiss him every time she came back. A life where they got to see where their love would take them, and maybe one day hear the pitter-patter of little feet on their floor.

           A life where Marinette did actually become a fashion designer. A life where she married Adrien, Alya was still her best friend, her parents were alive, the world was good and kind, and two heroes got the finale they deserved.

           A life where love was enough, and they got their happy ending. The forever they never got would haunt her forever.

           Marinette was fifteen when she went she joined shield and went back to doing what she did best; helping people, saving the world.

Marinette was fifteen when she became an Agent of Shield.

           Marinette was fifteen when she learned how to shoot a gun.

           Marinette was fifteen when she joined Black Hear became her mentor. The training had been a killer. More than once, Marinette had nearly quit.

           Blackheart would just shake his head at her and say, “Life is tough, kid,” He’d give her an easy smile. “But so are you.”

           Marinette smiled.

“You and me?” Grant said. “We’re the same. We’re Kevlar. We do whatever it takes to complete the mission. We get the job done. Keep our feelings and emotions; personal wants and desires in check. For the greater good. Its who we are. Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever it takes,” Marinette repeated back. “But that doesn’t mean we have to shut people out; each other out.”

“Yes, it does,” Grant said firmly. “Yes, I do.” He stopped talking and look Marinette in the eyes, “There are things about me you don’t know. I’ve done things I… Thing you wouldn’t like if you knew.”

“We all have,” Marinette shrugged at her father figure. “It’s a part of the job. I get it.”

           Grant smiled at her, “I know you do. I know you would. We’re the same. We know this world isn’t all happiness and rainbows but we don’t stop trying to save it. We don’t stop believing it can be saved; that what we’re doing has a purpose. But there are things I can’t tell you. Things about me… that you wouldn’t like if you knew. One day, I hope you understand though. I know we will. We’re the same. But You’re good.”

“So are you,” Marinette said. “Grant, you’re like the best guy I know. You’re good.”

“Not always,” Grant looked away. “You need to know, Marinette, I’m not a good man.”

“I believe you are.” She stated, “You can’t convince me otherwise.”

           It would a year later after much trust was built, and they had gone of dozens and dozens of missions that she finally learned his real name.

           Grant.

Over the next few years, Grant became like a father to her. And to him, she was like a daughter. He taught her everything he knew. Marinette did everything she could to make him proud. He made her believe that they could really save the world, change the world for the better.

Where Grant went, she followed; most of the time. Sky would slowly start to show up more and more; until it was clear she wasn’t going anyway.

Whenever she was hurt, and the mission was over, Grant would tell a story about his past.

           Her favorites were the ones about a monster who loved the sky. It was clear that it was about him and Skye. “Do you want to hear a story, princess?” He smiled. “It’s about a man who struggled with his demons his entire life. Who asked for love throughout his entire life. But he never got it. Until she came. She made him feel important. She made him laugh. She made him better. She became his world.”

           Marinette couldn’t understand what was stopping the two from getting together.

           She met Nick Fury when she was seventeen and was sent on the first on her first solo mission.

When she was eighteen, Grant and Skye were approached by a man named Coulson. The same Coulson that had supposedly been killed by a god named Loki. The strangest part was Marinette was tapped to join too.

The team consisted of Coulson, May, Grant, Skye, Fitz, Simmons, and Marinette.

They were a team. They became a family.

However, then John Garrett was revealed to be Hydra; a man Marinette had thought she knew well. (Grant killed him. And she mourned with him the man they thought John was.)

           Then project insight happened. Nick Fury was killed. Captain America exposed all of Shield in an effort to reveal Hydra.

           Shield was labeled a terrorist organization.

           The team was on their own.

But, Marinette thought more than once over the next coming months, at least they had each other.

They ended up at a place called Providence. They were given lie detector tests by Agent Eric Koenig. “Fury designed this himself,” The portly man said. “He wanted a lie detector Romanoff couldn’t beat.”

“Did she?” Grant asked

“Like Fury would tell!”

                       Marinette sat in the machine and tried to relax.

“We’re going to start with some easy question,” Eric told her. “Can I have your full name?”

“Marinette Clarissa Dupain-Cheng.”

“Eye color?”

“Blue,” Marinette stated.

           The agent nodded, “Have you ever been married?”

           Marinette shook her head, “No.”

“Please list your immediate living family.”

“My grandmother Gina,” Marinette answered. “My grandfather. I considered my team my family though.”

“What’s the difference between an egg and a rock?”

           Marinette gave him an “Are you Serious” look, “One's food, ones a weapon.”

“Have you ever heard of project insight?”

“Never.”

“Have you ever had contact with Alexander Pierce.”

“I have,” She answered honestly. “Once. Just after the New York Invasion. Agent Hill introduced me.”

“You wash up on a desert island, alone. Sitting in the sand is a box. What’s in the box?”

“How big is the box?” Marinette asked curiously. “How did it get there? What island am I on? Am I near freshwater.”

“Just say the first thing that comes to your mind, Marinette,” He told her. “What’s in the box?”

“A pair of earrings.”

           Eric gives her a funny look but notes her age and shrugs it off. Spy teen girls were still teen girls, after all. “Shield no longer exists. The agency has been labeled a terrorist organization. So why are YOU here.”

           Marinette thought about the question. She had thought about it before. Shield had fallen. No one knew who was or wasn’t Hydra. She should’ve been gone in the wind. However, she had never even considered it. “Shield is all I have. Ward, Skye, Coulson, May, Simmons, Fitz, Trip; they’re all I have. They’re my family.” She told him. “And truthfully, I joined Shield because I believe this world is worth saving. I believe it can still be saved. I believe that it is good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for.”

“I love Lord of the Rings,” Agent Eric Koenig grinned. “Let’s get you a Lanyard, Agent Dupain-Cheng.

           While Skye, May, and Grant stayed at Providence, Marinette joined Coulson and the others.

           When Marinette returned to the base after saving the Cellist lady. The bus was gone. May was gone. Grant and Skye were gone.

           What was left of the team had debated long about what had happened; why the three had left.

           When Coulson said, “Worst case…  We've had a wolf in the herd the whole time.”

           Marinette didn’t believe that at first. Not until she heard the scream. Saw Agent Eric Koenig’s body. Saw the word written on the picture.

           Ward is Hydra.

“Not Ward,” Fitz said.

“Not Ward,” Marinette repeated. “Not Ward.” Skye was wrong. She had to be wrong. Ward couldn’t be Hydra. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.

           Then Simmons gave the analyze of Agent Eric Koenig’s murder.

“Ward did this,” Simmons said.

           In a fury, Fitz smashed a few things.

           Marinette could only stare in space as the words penetrated her mind.

           Ward is Hydra.

           The man she thought she knew the best.

           The man she had sworn her loyalty to, had given all her trust to, had loved like a father.

           The man who had gotten her to swear loyalty to Shield.

           Grant Ward had been her S.O. Her mentor. Her leader. Her captain.

           Grant Ward was Hydra.

           And just like that, Marinette’s world shattered again.

           And just like that, everything she ever thought she believed in was questioned.

           It would be months before she saw him again, and by then it had been confirmed without a doubt Grant Ward was Hydra. He was the enemy.

           He would try to kill the team multiple times.  Grant Ward would do everything he could to get her alone to speak with and or to Skye. Like he could change their minds. He had gone full psycho Hydra and didn’t seem to be stopping any time soon.

           Marinette was captured by Hydra not long before her twenty-first birthday.

           She was tied up and chained to a desk.

           Grant Ward walked in with an easy smile on his face, “Marinette. This brings back memories.”

“Old Blackheart himself,” The bluenette hissed back. “Good to see you again. Oh, Wait! As your lot puts; Hail Hydra, right?”

           He nodded and sat down across from her, “Ladybug.”

“Just kill me,” Marinette shrugged. “I won’t tell you anything. You know I won’t. I won’t Hydra. You and the rest of the freaking Nazi can go to hell.”

           Ward looked shocked, “Kill you? You really think I would… I would never hurt you, Marinette!” He told her. “You have to know that. I would never want to hurt you.”

“Maybe not want to,” Marinette looked him dead in the eye. “But you will. All apart of the job, right.”

“Do you think this was easy for me?” Grant asked. “You of all people understand how hard it was; the impossible decisions that had to be made. You know what it's like to make a choice that breaks you inside. But we make them anyway. I made them anyway. Because that’s what I do. What we do.”

Marinette shuddered. “A Double Agent. Do what needs to be done. Betray everyone who loves you, cares about you. Because we don’t matter, only the mission does. Right? That’s what you tried to train into me; anything for the mission.”

“No!” Ward shouted. “That’s who you were before I ever met you. You don’t get to put that on me. That’s why Shield wanted you. Because you did whatever it took to stop Hawkmoth for good. Whatever it took for the greater good. That’s how I knew we were the same.”

           Silence.

           Ward stood up, “You’re good. I get that. I’ve always known that. But you understand me. You’re a soldier. I’m a soldier.”

“You are a monster,” Marinette said. “You finally convinced. There is no good for you.”

           Coulson, May, Lincoln, and Skye rescued her not long after.

           Grant and Marinette would face off with each other multiple; fighting to the death; fighting for the cause.

           Then one day, Simmons would be gone, Coulson would go after her, and when they came back; Coulson would tell her Grant Ward was dead. He killed him.

           Marinette wouldn’t ever admit it but her world shattered just a bit.

           However, Marinette would see Grant again but he wasn’t Grant. He was hive. And Hive would nearly take Skye from the team. He would take Lincoln.

           After months of fighting the monster for months; doing whatever it took to bring him down; Lincoln, a pretty blond man with light-colored eyes who dared to be a hero, sacrificed himself.

           And for the first time in years, Marinette was reminded of Adrien Agreste. She had thought about him occasionally, sure. But seeing Skye cry over Lincoln had reminded her just deeply of her own loss. And remember that she was the one who erased his memories. He wanted the last thing he saw to be her before he never remembered her again.

           Marinette was twenty-two when she went to the funeral of Grant Ward. It was in Paris. Marinette was the only one who went. There was nobody to bury but still, Marinette had him laid to rest, not too far away from her parents.

           No matter how hard she had tried, Marinette couldn’t find it in her to hate Grant. She had loved him too much. He had been such a big part of who she was.

           And she owed it to him to finally see him laid to rest. It was her duty, she supposed.

           That was why she buried him in the once place she once thought she’d never return. The place where she once dreamed of another life.

           As she stared at his grave, once again she dreamed about another life.

           A life where Hydra had never returned. Shield had never fallen. The Avengers weren’t torn apart in a civil war. The world didn’t seem to always be on fire. Skye was still an Agent. Fitz and Simmons were married. Tripp was alive. Lincoln was alive. And Grant Ward was good.

           It was a nice dream but she’d leave it in Paris with all rest of her childhood’s hopes, wishes, and dreams.

“You were right,” She told Grant, speaking directly to his headstone as if he was there. “We are the same. I do understand. I’ve always understood. In the end, we always do our duty. Its what defines us. Rest in Peace, Ward.”

           Marinette walked out of the cemetery with her head held high. She would stop for ice cream, and cross paths with a tall, handsome, green-eyed, blond man. He’d look right through her.

           And it only bothered her a little.

           Months after she left Paris again, for good she swore, she would hear on the news about the untimely death of Gabriel Agreste.

           She would notify an hour later that Master Fu has surfaced in Paris again. The man had been watched by Shield for years.

           She would be told that Master Fu had been spotted around Agreste home.

           Marinette didn’t blink twice. It wouldn’t matter. Everyone had moved on. Adrien had moved. Marinette had moved on. And as far as the world was concerned Marinette Dupain-Cheng was dead. She had died years ago.

           Seven months later, Coulson would bring her in to help train a new recruit. She would walk into the training room of the bus and see a tall, a tall, handsome, green-eyed, blond man with hope clear on his face, standing next to Coulson, looking at her like he was seeing the sun for the first time in years.

“Kitty?” Marinette whispered.

“My lady.”

           Marinette was twenty-three when her world shattered yet again.

[quickspinner]

Damsel in Distress for Hire

I wrote this for the @lovebugs-and-snakecharmers sprint challenge ages ago, but life happened and I never got it edited and cleaned up. Now I have, so here it is! I used the @mlweeklyprompts prompt Bard. 

Luka reined in Sass before the gelding could clear the shadows of the trees, and eyed the keep tower with some satisfaction. It stood alone on a hill, with ground cleared around it and a wall around the courtyard, and only a single tower rising out of the fortifications. It looked like their information had been good, then. Their opponent didn’t have a large force, hence their underhanded approach. They were depending on the seclusion of this place to keep them safe, and not strength of arms. That made him breathe a sigh of relief. He of all people knew how much harm misinformation could do, and though he had done everything in his power to be sure of his information, there always was that worry in the back of his mind. 

Luka urged Sass forward at a walk. 

“Hail and well met!” he called cheerfully, waving. “I am but a single traveler, of no threat to you!” He dismounted from Sass and spread his arms wide, hands far from the rapier hanging at his side. The guards exchanged a look, but didn’t move. 

“I am a minstrel on my way from the capital to cities in the south,” Luka said, with a little bow that still kept his hands well clear of his weapon. “I’ve been travelling all night to get through these woods, and as I’ve stumbled on you here, I was hoping I could perhaps share your fire and the protection your company would afford me from the local dregs so that I may take a short rest in peace? I have some goods of my own that are better shared, if you would be so kind to allow me to sup with you.” He leaned over and reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a large bottle that glinted appealingly in the sunlight.

The guardsmen exchanged grins with each other, and invited him at once to come and share their watch, on the condition that he give them all the news he had and play a little for their entertainment. 

“Shall I not be detaining you from your duties?” Luka asked, glancing up at the Keep as he tethered Sass. “I’ve no wish to get you in trouble, nor be chased away for causing undue distraction.” He winked at the guards, who chuckled. 

“It’s light duty today,” one of them said easily, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Any force large enough to breach it will be seen from the tower long before we spy it from here, and nothing here to tempt anyone except a fine lady who barely even had any baggage. Come and give us the news!” 

It was amazing, Luka reflected to himself as he sat down, opening the bottle and pouring generous measures into the cups they they held out for him, what you could get away with when you carried a lute and some good wine.

“Aye, she was a nice one to look at though,” the second guard observed with a sigh. “I was on duty when they escorted her in this morning. A highborn lady, that, worth her weight I’m sure. Not that the higher ups tell us much.” His companion elbowed him and gave him a dark look, before turning back to waggle bushy eyebrows at Luka. 

“Ye seen many pretty ladies?” he asked, and a smile twitched at Luka’s mouth at the obvious attempt to deflect the conversation. “Bet ye have, a court songbird like you.” 

“Oh, many,” Luka agreed, hiding his distaste at the epithet. Court songbird, indeed. “Duchesses and princesses and high court ladies of every kind, but there is only one lady that holds my heart, no matter how much my eyes may wander.” He winked and the two men guffawed. Luka disguised a roll of his eyes with another deep drink from his cup. He’d been around this type enough to know what kind of humor they enjoyed. Luka turned his eyes up in the direction of the keep, hiding his scrutiny behind a dreamy expression. 

“My lady is as lovely as any princess I’ve ever seen,” Luka continued. “Clumsy, sometimes, but all the more joy in catching her, ey?” Another round of laughter. “She has beautiful dark hair, and the sweetest, most beguiling eyes you’ve ever seen, and her mouth was carved by the gods.” He sighed longingly. “And I’ve been apart from her much too long. I’m on my way back to her now, and I appreciate you sharing your fire with a lonely minstrel.” 

“There, there,” the taller man said, not without genuine sympathy, and patted Luka’s shoulder roughly. “Ye’ll be with her again soon, no doubt.” 

Luka looked toward the Keep gates and smiled as shouts began to rise in the courtyard. “I do believe you’re right,” he said, finishing the last of his cup. “It’s been a pleasure, gentlemen, but my lady awaits. I leave you this medicinal powder and my sincerest apologies for the headache you’re going to have in the mornings.” 

He set a small pouch on the ground, where it would be in plain sight of the men who had just slumped to the ground, unconscious. 

Luka tsked as he picked up their empty cups and examined the residue at the bottom. “More than enough to keep them out most of the day,” he murmured with satisfaction. He leaned back against his pack and waited.

Eventually, the heavy keep doors swung open, and a petite figure in a lovely velvet red dress came striding out. Luka couldn’t help his smile, or the sigh of relief and longing that passed his lips. 

She caught sight of him and scowled, completely ignoring the passed out guards that lay on the ground. 

“What the hell are you doing here?” she demanded. 

“Well met, to you as well, Marinette,” Luka laughed. His roguish smile made a mockery of his courtly bow. 

“Why are you here?” she asked again, crossing her arms. “You were supposed to wait in the capital.”

“I am no court bard, to find inspiration in perfume and flattery and empty love affairs,” Luka sniffed affectedly. “I am a seeker of adventure, and I follow my heart.”

“You dog my heels,” Marinette accused, reaching down to pull out the hidden ribbon she had worked into her gown. The dress split on the sides, and Marinette straightened, rolling the ribbon carefully around her fingers even as she glared at him. “Admit it.”

“Admit that you have my heart? Gladly.” Luka swept a bow, and Marinette rolled her eyes.

“Don’t flatter me,” she snorted. “You’re not any good at it.” 

“Shall I compliment you instead?” Luka asked pointedly, and Marinette blushed, looking away. His compliments were always far worse than his flattery, because he meant them. 

“Don’t change the subject. You were worried about me,” she accused, waving a dagger like an admonitionary finger. “I can handle myself.” 

“You can handle yourself, and me as well,” Luka grinned, and then softened his tone, dropping his courtly pretense. “But I’m always worried about you. That proves nothing except that I care about you.” He held up a furled parchment between them. “However, this is actually why I’m here. I also bring Lady Kagami’s thanks and her appreciation for your very convincing performance of a helpless highborn princess being carried off, although she feels it wasn’t a very accurate imitation of her.” 

Marinette snorted. “Kagami could have easily handled these idiots herself if her mother wasn’t such a stick in the mud. It probably would have been more entertaining for everyone if they had managed to kidnap her.” She sheathed her dagger and took the parchment, unrolling it as she added, “I hope she sent her payment as well as her thanks.” Her lips pursed as she read, and then pushed out in a pout as she looked up at him. “Okay. That’s a good reason.” 

“No point in riding all the way back just to traverse the exact same route again,” Luka agreed. “And since I was coming all this way, why not meet you at the door? I’ve stashed our supplies in a nice little campsite far enough away from this mess,” he gestured at the tower. “We can spend the night and set out in the morning.”

“We?” Marinette asked, eyebrows raising. Luka shrugged.

“I’ve no mind to let you get that far away from me for that long,” he told her, only half joking. “I’m sure there’s a noble house somewhere in the city looking for entertainment, and if not—” Luka shrugged. “Then there’s certain to be a tavern."

Marinette grimaced. “I don’t like it when you play taverns,” she muttered. “You’re far too good for that.”

“We take the pay where it comes,” Luka reminded her, plucking the parchment from her hand and tucking it back in his saddlebag.

“It doesn’t have to come with tavern wenches hanging all over you,” Marinette complained. 

Luka barked a laugh. “The noble ladies are just as bad, only more subtle,” he chuckled, mounting his horse. He extended a hand down to Marinette. “Shall we? I’m sure Tikki’s getting hungry.”  

Marinette looked up at his tall gelding and sighed. “I can get up myself,” she muttered, but she let Luka grip her wrist to give her a little extra boost. She landed across Sass on her belly with a small grunt, and then scrambled into place behind Luka. She could see the curve of his smile just before he faced forward. 

“I’m glad you’re coming with me,” she murmured into his shoulder blades. “And I’ll gut anyone who touches you.”

“My thanks, my gallant lady protector,” Luka said, patting the hands clasped around his waist. “I need fear nothing as long as you are with me, except the hour of parting.”

Marinette huffed, her breath tickling his neck. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Luka looked over his shoulder and winked. “If my heart grew much fonder of you, you would never be rid of me.” 

Marinette was silent for a moment, and then said, “Maybe I don’t want to be.” She said it very quietly, and held her breath after. Luka’s big hand covered hers again, his thumb caressing the back.

“Then maybe you should say yes the next time I propose,” came the teasing answer, and Marinette’s mouth dropped in outrage. 

“You propose every time we pass a church!” she scoffed. 

“Yes,” Luka agreed shamelessly. “How many churches do you think there are between here and the Jewel of the Southern Wastes ?” 

“Not enough to convince me to marry you,” Marinette shot back. “I like the way things are.” 

"As do I," Luka chuckled.

Marinette sniffed. "I knew you weren't serious."

"Of course I am. I will wed you the moment you say the word. But if you are content, then so am I."

"You're infuriating, you know that?" Marinette huffed. 

“There, there,” Luka laughed, patting her hand before putting his own back on the reins. “We’ve a long way to go to get there, and through some pretty sketchy territory. Maybe if you’re really lucky, we’ll get robbed.”

“You think?” Marinette perked up. “Bandits?”

“Possibly even ruffians ,” Luka teased, and laughed when she smacked his shoulder. 

“Ruffians are always broke,” Marinette complained. “I want bandits. I’m going to have to buy new dresses when we get there, I can’t wear dresses from the Northern court in the South. I’d look ridiculous.” Her eyes widened slightly. “Luka, what did you do with my dresses? You didn’t pack them yourself, did you? They’re much too delicate—”

“I had them professionally packed and sealed and sent to Lady Alya for safekeeping,” Luka reassured her. “I would never dare let harm come to your wardrobe.” 

Marinette slumped in relief. “Oh, good.” After a moment she added, “Thank you.”

Luka lifted one of her hands from his waist and kissed the palm softly. 

[songofthealps]

@aphrarepairweek2021

Day 3: Culture 

In which Lara and Lukas try to make fondue with brunost~

Pairing: SwissNor ( Nyo!Switzerland and Norway) (Lara&Lukas)

Word Count: 658

“It isn’t going to work, liebling.”

Lara wasn’t talking about her relationship with the man who represented Norway. No, she was talking about the fact that he’d presented her with something that looked like chocolate and cheese had a baby. When she said they were going to have fondue night, and tasked Lukas with getting cheese, she didn’t anticipate that he was going to get.. that.

“What?” Lukas had been sitting across from her, holding Lara’s Norwegian forest cat, Liebe. Said cat was purring, content that her owner, and the man that represented the land she was from, basically lived together.

“This.” Lara lifted the.. Whatever it was, into her hand, looking at it before she moved to smell it. “It’s a cheese, I think? It doesn’t smell like chocolate..” Her eyes said chocolate, but her nose said cheese.

“Brunost, Lara, it’s brunost” Lukas was already laughing, reaching across the table for a cheese slicer, and slicing a wafer thin piece to hand to her. “It’s just a cheese, dear.” Tugging her wrist, he lead her around the table to let her sit in his lap, popping the cheese into her mouth. “Very popular in my home, it’s ‘typically Norwegian’ or so people say.” Wrapping his arms around her middle, Lukas leaned his chin on her shoulder. “Do you like it?”

Lara, to her credit, wasn’t unhappy about her current seating situation, and had obediently opened her mouth when he’d sliced the cheese for her, slicing one for him in turn. As his arms wrapped around her, and he’d asked the question, she had popped the piece into his mouth.

“I do like it, yes. But in Switzerland we’d use something like Swiss cheese, or gruyere. Very different taste and textures to this brown cheese of yours.” She’d already looked in their fridge, and neither of those cheeses were to be found. Hence why she’d asked Lukas to pick some up on the way home.

“Suppose it could work,” She’d commented, leaning forward to slice another piece, “if we went for a sweeter fondue, something that might go well with fruit? Could make something else for dinner, believe we have lox.” Lara leaned back in, nuzzling into the groove between his neck and his shoulder.

“Mmm, lox are fine. Do you want it on bread? Maybe with cucumber?” Lukas was already planning, their cat perking up at the word “lox.”

“I’d be fine with that, I’m more amused that you found a way to marry two of our foods together, assuming this doesn’t taste bad. Let me up?” She’d asked, pressing her lips to his once before she stood, opening their fridge. “Oh, and can you cube that?”

Listening to Lara, Lukas slid the cutting board over, grabbing a knife and starting to chop as Lara came back with arms full of fruits, cream, vanilla, sugar, and water.

As Lukas was cutting, she placed fruits near him, particularly apples. “Your national fruit, babe.” She’d commented as he was rolling one back to her. “And yours.”

She’d poured cream, vanilla, sugar, and water into the fondue pot, warming it up and then gesturing for him to add the cheese. “It’s going to be sweet, but I think that’ll offset the apple.”

Once it had reached a temperature she’d deemed hot enough, she took one of the apples slices Lukas had prepared, dipping it into the mixture.

“I’ll admit that I am either really insane for this, or we’re really smart,” She’d commented, watching him dip one as well. Moving to his side, she laced her arm through his so they both could place the apple into the others mouth.

Crunch.

“You know, it’s not bad,” Lukas spoke around his piece of apple, hand before his mouth. “I like it, sweet. But also sour?”

“Should have known, take two of our favorite things, and make it just that much better.” Lara had chirped back, leaning in to nuzzle his cheek.

[mikauzoran]

Lukadrien: Among the Wild Things: Chapter Twelve

Read it on AO3: Among the Wild Things: Chapter Twelve: Belonging

The setting sun shimmered in through the stained-glass windows of the cathedral, making the space glow scarlet, tangerine, ocher, and sacred blue: a sea of coloured light that took Luka’s breath away.

The organ music started up, echoing powerfully like thunder throughout the church, cuing Luka to start his procession down the aisle to meet Adrien at the altar.

He tried to focus entirely on his mate and ignore the gathered crowd of hundreds gawking at him in judgment. He could hear the whispers going around, attendees informing those seated near them that not only was the young king marrying a man, but that that man was a fairy on top of it.

It only served as a stark reminder of how different the mortal realm was from the world of the fae. Sure, people hadn’t been happy about Luka bringing a human home and treating him like an official mate, but most people had shrugged it off and gotten over it. Some people still avoided Adrien, but most had come to accept him as a member of the community.

Luka wasn’t optimistic of his chances of receiving similar treatment from Adrien’s subjects.

He accepted that there was nothing he could do to change their minds but keep his chin up and forge ahead, treating them all with grace, kindness, and respect when he did interact with them. Maybe with time he would gain their trust and affection, but…it seemed like such an uphill battle.

So Luka fixed his gaze on Adrien and how handsome he looked in the clothes Marinette had designed and created with such care. He kept his focus on doing credit to his mate, carrying himself with poise and a quiet dignity. He straightened his spine and squared his shoulders and held his head high, pretending that he was a fit companion for a young ruler.

Doubt had been creeping in over the last twenty-four hours as he realized how little he’d understood of Adrien’s world and what his life had been like before he’d thrown his lot in with Luka and left the mortal realm behind.

Adrien had fit so easily into Luka’s world, quickly becoming an entrenched part of the Couffaines’ lives. Luka didn’t think he could do the same in the human realm. He could fit in with Adrien’s friends and get along with Nathalie, but Luka couldn’t see himself sitting on a throne beside Adrien and helping him to rule. Luka had never had a head for politics, and he wasn’t a people person. He did best when left alone to make music. He couldn’t see himself being of much use to Adrien here.

But then Luka reached the end of the aisle, and Adrien took Luka’s hands in his own, giving Luka a radiant smile, eyes sparkling with barely-contained adoration…and Luka remembered that Adrien didn’t necessarily belong here either.

Adrien had learned to act the part over the years so that he could slip, chameleon-like through society, an imposter wearing an elaborate disguise. Adrien didn’t really fit in either, and he was counting on Luka’s love and support to get him through this long-con intact.

That was something Luka excelled at. Comfort and love were two things he was uniquely equipped to give Adrien. Luka may not feel like he brought anything else to this partnership, but of that he could be certain. He could be Adrien’s pillar of support, and that would have to be enough.

The ceremony progressed exactly as Nathalie had described to Luka over half a dozen times.

He paid attention, took his cues from Adrien, and generally tried not to embarrass his mate in front of the hundreds of subjects watching with eagle eyes for any slipup or perceived deficiency.

The time for the vows came, and Adrien and Luka both recited the standard rhetoric about loving and honoring one another for all the days of their lives, in sickness and in health.

The words were quaint, and Luka wondered if they meant anything to Adrien. He hadn’t included them in their abbreviated wedding ceremony, so it was possible that Adrien wasn’t terribly attached to them.

Luka liked the line about cherishing one another; though, he wasn’t such a fan of the “till death do us part”. It was too painful to think about the end of everything when it felt like they’d only just begun their happiness together.

He didn’t want to think of the endless years that lay ahead of him without Adrien. He knew he had the option of renouncing his powers and becoming human, but he wanted to save that as a last resort. Adrien had proven that he didn’t need Luka to protect him, but Luka still wanted to be able to fight and win battles for Adrien if the need ever arose. If he gave up his powers, he’d be defenseless, incapable of protecting himself, let alone Adrien.

Once they’d recited the standard human vows, they repeated the oath they had sworn together half a year ago on their second wedding night:

“I pledge myself to you, to be your partner in all things, to be your support and your shelter, to forever be on your side, never to trick or deceive you, and to respect and love you always, in this life and the next.”

Those words instilled in Luka more hope than the “till death do us part” rubbish in the first set of vows.

Humans could be so uncreative and dull, their minds too small to conceive of continued fidelity in the hereafter.

Luka didn’t want to be released from his bond with Adrien when Adrien’s life ended. Luka wanted something concrete he could hold onto across lifetimes. The thought of his link to Adrien being severed horrified him, so he was glad of the familiar oaths being there to reassure him.

They exchanged rings, said I do, and kissed reservedly so as not to offend anyone’s sensibilities.

Then, it was time for the coronation.

Really, it was just a bunch of pomp and blustering.

Luka and Adrien dutifully submitted to it, and soon crowns were placed upon their heads, and they were announced King and Prince Consort.

Luka felt ridiculous standing there in a church whose windows shone like jewels, wearing a crown and the fine clothes Marinette had made for him by toiling well through the night, as people started at him, cheering politely because they were afraid of what Luka could do to them, afraid that Adrien might prove himself to be King Gabriel’s son after all.

Adrien, though, looked ravishing. The crown suited him, and he knew how to stand and hold himself so that the expensive clothes looked natural.

Luka focused on that instead of how out of place he felt.

 “I think Alya’s having more fun than I am,” Adrien whispered several hours into the feast at which he could eat nothing.

Luka looked to where the fox spirit was dragging poor Nino around the dance floor so that she could get an eyeful of all the lavish outfits worn by the most influential people of the realm and overhear their conversations.

“Yes, she is definitely having the time of her life,” Luka snickered, smiling as Alya tugged on Nino’s arm and pointed at a couple dancing nearby.

Nino quickly batted down her hand and patiently explained that pointing was rude.

Alya instead indicated the dancing couple with an exaggerated jerk of her head and repeated her demand.

With a fond smile, Nino carefully positioned Alya’s hands, one on his shoulder and one clasped in his own, and slowly showed her the basic steps of a slow dance.

Luka’s grin widened as he remembered that night many months ago when he and Adrien had ducked into a clearing at another wedding feast held in their honor to do the same thing.

“Come on,” Adrien prodded gently, getting to his feet and holding out his hand for Luka. “Let’s go dance.”

Luka quirked an eyebrow. “Are you sure you won’t be missed?”

Adrien rolled his eyes. “No one really cares this late into the evening. I’ve greeted and thanked and schmoozed with everyone I was supposed to. No one’s going to die if I take a break from looking regal to dance with my incredibly attractive husband.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Luka snickered, taking Adrien’s hand and following him out onto the dancefloor.

They floated gracefully around the floor, switching back and forth from song to song who was leading.

Adrien taught Luka to waltz, and they had many a laugh as they nearly tripped over one another several times before they were able to sync up and move in tandem.

Many guests stared at them—some in disgust, some only in curiosity. A small number of people who had been ambivalent about their ruler taking a fae man for a spouse saw how normal and, in fact, adorable Luka and Adrien were together and decided in favor of the couple.

Some watched them together and saw only vile debauchery.

The thrice newlyweds didn’t much notice. They were too busy taking delight in one another.

As the night wore on and the party died down, Adrien and Luka slipped off to the Queen’s chambers, no longer worrying about scandalizing the servants.

 Luka quickly learned that Adrien was bad at estimates.

He’d told Luka that he anticipated staying in the mortal realm no more than a few weeks until he could peacefully turn power over to someone who actually wanted the job. One month into their stay at the castle, it didn’t feel like they were any closer to going home than when they’d started.

It turned out that King Gabriel had been letting things slip in the months after Adrien’s disappearance. The entire kingdom was a mess, teetering on the brink of financial ruin, and the peasants were this close to staging an uprising.

It turned out, being king was a fulltime job…and Adrien didn’t entirely hate it. In fact, he was actually pretty good at it.

It was just the place that was no good for him. He didn’t fit in any better now that he was king than he had as a prince. People loved him, but they didn’t really get him, and they couldn’t see him as their equal.

Being king was lonely, and he desperately missed his life among the fae.

 “I want to go home,” Adrien whimpered as he slid into bed, curling up with Luka after yet another hard day.

“Hang in there,” Luka encouraged, squeezing Adrien tight and making the whickering sounds that often calmed his mate. “You’re doing such a good job, and the kingdom is almost back up on its feet. Things will be stable soon, and then we can throw our crowns at Nathalie or someone and run.”

Luka wasn’t entirely convinced that he was telling Adrien the truth about the state of the kingdom, but he knew at least that that was what Adrien needed to hear.

Adrien hummed distractedly. “…I’ve been thinking.”

“Yeah?” Luka propped himself up on an elbow to look down at his husband.

“I don’t think handing the kingdom over to another monarch is the solution my people need,” Adrien began to explain.

Luka drew in a sharp breath. “Are you…thinking about staying on? …Permanently?”

“No. Hell no,” Adrien snorted, his nose scrunching up in disgust like it did when he accidentally consumed human food. “I may eventually try for some kind of clan leader position within the fae community, but there’s no way I’m going to keep being king here. I can’t do it. I want to go home.”

“Okay,” Luka agreed softly, trying to follow Adrien’s plan. “So…if staying on as king isn’t the right answer and handing the reigns over to another monarch isn’t the right answer…what are you proposing we do?”

Adrien took a deep breath to steady himself before tentatively announcing his crazy scheme. “I want to dissolve the monarchy and set up some kind of democracy for my people so they can elect representatives to help them govern themselves.”

Luka’s eyes went wide. “That’s…very radical of you.”

Adrien nodded shamefacedly. “It’s completely insane, but I think it’s the right move for everyone.” He studied Luka’s eyes with a pleading intensity. “Will you help me start a revolution?”

“Look at me like that, and I’ll help you with anything,” Luka assured, leaning in for a bolstering kiss. “I support you in everything,” he assured. “We’re a team.”

“Thank you,” Adrien whispered, green eyes glowing like lanterns in the dark, guiding the way home.

 As expected, it took a lot of time and effort to tear down a monarchy and replace it with a functioning governmental body.

They brought in Anarka to consult, and Nathalie was elbows deep in the project from the very beginning, eager to throw herself into the work.

Adrien would definitely be voting for Nathalie for Prime Minister.

He pulled in trusted advisors from the most unexpected places to aid him in his scheme, upsetting the local nobility and making Bourgeois, Raincomprix, and Damocles hem and haw.

Adrien sought the guidance of Sabine Cheng who had always had a good head for business on her shoulders.

Xavier Ramier was intimately concerned with the environment and humans’ impact on local wildlife, so Adrien brough him on as well.

Adrien’s childhood friend Chloé was unexpectedly good at marketing and getting the information out to the public, so she was recruited and, in turn, inspired her father to be more helpful going forward as well.

Marianne Lenoir, Caline Bustier, Amina Lahiffe, Sabrina Raincomprix, and both Kagami and Tomoe Tsurugi were also invaluable allies.

It took a little over half a year, but the team worked tirelessly, and there were elections where many civic-minded citizens as well as many members of Adrien’s team won seats in the new Parliament.

The legislature met, passed laws, and successfully began to govern, finally making Adrien feel like he could return home with no regrets or sense of guilt.

His job was done.

 He exchanged temporary goodbyes with his friends, promising to come back to visit once a month.

“But, if you ever need anything, feel free to send Alya for me whenever,” he offered.

The fox spirit had been spending increasingly more time at the palace over the months, mostly only returning to the enchanted forest to sleep and go get the fairy food to deliver to Adrien.

Adrien had a feeling she’d be marrying Nino and settling in at the castle permanently any week now.

“You especially, Madame Prime Minister,” he chuckled, wrapping Nathalie in a warm embrace.

She did what, for her, passed as a smile and returned the hug.

After bidding everyone farewell, Adrien and Luka made their way back to the forest, back home.

The water felt deliciously cool and refreshing on their skin as they submerged themselves after months of feeling dehydrated.

“I feel like I can finally breath again,” Adrien chuckled, swimming into a backflip.

Luka grinned, dissolving into water before reforming as a handsome stallion to rival even Plagg.

“It’s nice to be back in my element,” Luka admitted wearily. “Come along, Little Prince. Hop on.”

Adrien mounted, wrapping his arms securely around Luka’s neck as the kelpie carried them home to the sunken ship at the bottom of Anarka’s lake.

Rose and Anarka pounced upon them as soon as they were through the door, fussing especially over Adrien.

“Why do I feel like he’s the favourite?” Luka pretended to pout, going to embrace Juleka while the other two were busy with his mate.

“It’s because you’ve been home periodically, so they didn’t have as much of a chance to miss you too much,” Juleka explained with a fond snicker as she watched Rose sob over Adrien. “They haven’t seen him at all.”

“Luuuuuuuuc!!!” Rose wailed, throwing herself at her brother-in-law.

Anarka took a step back and smiled, enjoying the spectacle.

Juleka abandoned her brother to Rose’s mercy, steeled herself, and then finally allowed herself to meet Adrien’s gaze.

He smiled hesitantly, awkwardly raising a hand in greeting. “Hi, Juleka. It’s been a long time. I hope you’ve been well?”

With an indignant glare, she socked Adrien in the arm and then pulled him into a crushing hug, muttering, “You’re such an infuriating little cupcake. How dare you make me miss you.”

Adrien pulled Juleka in closer, burying his face in her shoulder as he tried not to cry at finally winning her acceptance.

“Sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Jerk,” she accused, giving him a teasing squeeze. “This was all a part of your heinous scheme to make me like you.”

“You caught me,” Adrien laughed through tears.

“…No one makes that potato soup as well as you do,” she grumbled. “I know Rose was the one who taught you in the first place, but…hers isn’t as good.”

Adrien pulled back with a grin, eager to please. “Do you want me to make it for dinner tonight?”

Juleka averted her gaze with an indifferent shrug, still playing coy. “I mean, you can if you want. I don’t care.”

“Please,” Rose snickered, having no qualms about ratting out her wife. “Juju’s been whining about that soup for months. I’ve stopped making it for her because she always gets really sulky when I do because it reminds her of you.”

“Aww. That’s really sweet,” Adrien cooed, pulling Juleka back into his arms for another hug.

“I’ve clearly made a mistake,” Juleka muttered sullenly. “I’m not sweet.”

“You’re adorable,” Luka teased, gently pulling Adrien away. “He can make you soup later. For now, I think Dri and I need some rest. It’s been a long eternity,” he informed, tugging Adrien towards their bedroom.

 Adrien did a bellyflop onto the bed and rolled around happily, overjoyed to be back on his own mattress. “How I’ve missed this,” he giggled.

“Move over,” Luka snickered, dropping a kiss to the back of Adrien’s neck.

“No,” Adrien pouted, burying his face in his estranged pillow. “This is my spot. You get the other side of the bed. Has it really been so long that you’ve forgotten?”

Luka lovingly rolled his eyes and crawled over Adrien, settling into his own customary spot.

Adrien rolled over and curled up beside Luka, resting his head on Luka’s chest with a sigh of contentment.

“You doing okay?” Luka inquired, giving Adrien’s hair a soft nuzzle. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired…tired but good,” Adrien assured, eyes starting to grow heavy as the exhaustion of the past six months caught up with him all at once. “Finally at peace now that there’s nothing left from my past to come find me.”

Luka hummed in understanding.

“I tried not to let myself worry too much before, but it did hang over my head sometimes, how I’d abandoned my family, my friends, my kingdom,” Adrien confessed. “I feel a lot lighter now.”

“Good,” Luka whispered, pressing a trail of tiny kisses from the top of Adrien’s head down the side of his face. “I’m glad. That means we can just focus on being happy from now on.”

“Yeah,” Adrien breathed thoughtfully, lifting his head to meet Luka’s gaze. “Thank you. I know I’ve said it again and again, and I know you’ve said that you’re more than happy to stay by my side and support me through anything, but…I just want you to know how much you mean to me, how much easier my life is just by having you in it. I really do appreciate you.”

“Hush,” Luka chuckled affectionately, reaching up to stroke Adrien’s face. “I’m glad you never take me for granted, but…we are one. Your problems are my problems. I will always be at your side so that we can face whatever comes our way together.”

“Until death do us part?” Adrien whispered, lacing his fingers through Luka’s.

Luka shook his head. “In this life and the next.”

“I’ve always liked that part,” Adrien laughed, leaning in to press his lips to his husband’s. “I can’t think of a better way to spend eternity than with you.”

The

      End

 Epilogue:

Adrien keeps aging naturally until he’s in about his mid-thirties. He doesn’t really notice that he’s stopped aging until his fifties when he notices Marinette and Nino starting to slow down a little while Adrien still has plenty of energy and not a grey hair on his head.

Also, over the years, he starts developing more empathic abilities. His environment subtly reacts to his emotions, and he can read others’ emotions fairly easily and even manipulate them if he chooses.

Luka and Adrien live happily together for about two hundred years before Adrien finally passes away. Luka is completely bereft for a couple decades, but his family keeps him going.

The Couffaines adapt to modern life and pass themselves off as mortals as humanity encroaches ever more on the wild spaces and forgets about the fair folk. Eventually, they get a pirate ship and dock it on the Seine near the Pont de Grenelle by the Eiffel Tower.

One day, the Couffaines hold a concert for the local music festival and receive a shock when strangers with oddly familiar faces attend.

One blonde boy with a birthmark on his shoulder that looks like a bitemark trips while boarding the ship, and Luka helps him up. Luka Couffaine meets Adrien Agreste, and it’s love at first sight all over again.

Challenge to the Reader: Someone go write Luka and reincarnated Adrien’s meeting on the Liberty. I’m just imagining Adrien being all like “Do I…know you?” and Luka freaking out, trying not to scare Adrien away. XD

[zuffer-weird-girl]

Requested by: @hello-lucky-luka

The corpse groom

Every minimal details had to work, said your parents.

You were being forced to get engaged with Shigaraki Tomura, a noble from a family whose had their status, but no money. In contrary to your family who had money due to their bussines involving fish, but no such tittles.

You had only a conversation with the man, but both your mothers exclaimed how it was scandulous to be alone on a room alone before the marriage.... The wedding rehearsal was a disaster where you just wanted the ground to eat you alive... especially with that random woman laughing.

Despite Shigaraki calling you back, you ran away due to all extress of not being prepared to be married with a man you barely knew... You wish you had never entered that florest though.

A man. A DEAD man emerged from the ground and you colapse... wakening up only by some snickers, noticing that now you were in a world where dead creatures lived.

A man with an eye missing out with blong hair was shaking you and screaned along with yourself when you finally woke up.

"Where am I?! Where is this?! Who are all of you and why do you look so-so-?!"

"Fucked up? Absolute filled with trash? News flashes newbiew! We're fucking dead!" A man spoke, he was huge and with a hole on his chest that you even saw through it.

"Ooh new meat!!!!" Another man with the jaw broken aproached and you yelped, falling on the floor but with arms... DEAD ARMS on you as if they tried to prevent your fall.

"Pardon." The man with glasses spoke before casually kneeling to pick his arms and placed them back to help you stand up.

"T-this i-is-"

"Oi! YOu ShOUlD Be GrAtefUll To BE DraGGed DoWn HeRE!" A creature with their eye hanging of their head spoke and you almost vomited.

"Yes. Parcially because they are master's spouse." One blond man with a fucking katana on his stomach spoke calmly as you gagged in horror.

"W-what w-was that part again?"

"It seems we're engaged." A gruff voice spoke from behind you, scaridly you sneak over your shoulder and gasped at the sign of the main responsible for you to be in this circle of horror.

The man had messy brow hair with golden eyes, his skin was a mix of faint blue due to how long his corpse have been dead as half of one arma of his was pure bones while the other was... "fine". He wore a black messy and torn black tuxedo with half of his tie missing as he crossed his arms over his chest.

You screamed in horror when someone patted him on the back and his fucking eye dropped on your hand.

"Geez is just an eye." The man who patted the other spoke as he gravbed the eye nornally back and handed to the owner, his body was full of holes as if he had been fuzilied.

"Imbecile." The owner of the amber eye punched the back of the white hair man head... making it to fall to thhe floor.

You screamed again.

~

You came to learn that this man was actually murdered. He had fell for a woman's trick to get her hands on the money of his family. Ever since then, the dead people around there told that this man, Chisaki Kai; whose by disgust at himself decided to change his name by Overhaul; vowed to himself that he would wait for someone else, and perfect, to marry him.

And looks like you were the poor soul.

"I-I'm really sorry what happened to you. But I really cant do this! I have another man to-to-"

"YoU'Re An IdiOt?!" The creature screamed and you flinched at how his eyeball swinged... giving you shivers and even the urge to puke.

"We learned that you were on a arrangement married." The white, and dirty, haired man spoke and Chisaki's eyes narrowed.

"So there is another one huh?"

"There's no other one! A-Actually- You're the other one! My groom is waiting up there and you are just... just-!"

"Dead." He hissed and you swear you saw a tinge of sadness on those dead cold amber eyes of his "It doesn't matter. We are engaged and that's final."

He stormed his way out of the room, making every person of there to look at you as YOU made something wrong.

The fuzzilied man and the creature followed after him as you continue to think of something, anything to get you out of that place.

~

"Maybe they lost their head or something." Mimic spoke as Chisaki paced around the room with a frown.

"Shigaraki Tomura. Boss trust me, there's nothing special about this guy! Just give some time to them, and bing! The curse will be broken and you got someo-"

"Stop." He said nonchantly, shoulders sagging in defeat as he ran his reamaining hand on his hair "They have a point. I am prisioned with this.. dead. While they are still with lungs functionanting... maybe it was indeed a mistake." He sighed.

The two man changed worried glances. Before Mimic smirked and elbowed his commurate, aproaching Chisaki slowly.

"What does that wispy little brat have

That you don't have double?"

"He can't hold a candle

To the beauty of your soul." the white haired man placed a hand on his shoulder.

"How about a pulse?" Chisaki hissed, slapping Kurono's hand away from his shoulder.

"Overrated by a mile." Mimic answered smugly.

"Overvalued, overblown

If they only knew

The you that we do" the two continue

"And that despicable little creature

Isn't wearing their ring" kurono pointed to the ring of his finger.

"And he doesn't play piano

Or dance, or sing

No he doesn't compare" the both said in hopes to cheer up his boss and friend.

"But he still breaths air." He noted sharply before the two got in feont of him as he tried to exit.

"Who cares?

Unimportant, overrated

Overblown, if only they could see

How special you can be

If they only knew the you that we do"

He glared a both of them before hsi vision got into the only candle lighten up on the room, frowning at it...

"If I touch a burning candle

I can feel no pain

If you cut me with a knife

It's still the same...

And I know his heart is beating

And I know that I am dead

Yet the pain here that I feel

Try and tell me it's not real

And it seems I still have a tear to shed" he layed his back miserably on the wall and placed his good hand to cover how much his pain was feeling.

"The sole redeeming feature

From that little creature

Is that he's alive," mimic exclaimed while getting from behind, transforming into his human form, still with the eye hanging from his skull as one of his legs were missing.

"everybody knows

That's just a temporary state

Which is cured very quickly

When we meet our fate" Kurono aproached from the other side while taking off his head to make his point.

"Who cares?

Unimportant, overrated

Overblown, if only they could see

How special you can be

If they only knew the you that we do"

Impatience and rage took over him as he punched from behind the two man. The two hissing in pain before seing how numb was he... how miserable he sounded for the first time since they knew him.

"...If I touch a burning candle

I can feel no pain

In the ice or in the sun

It's all the same

Yet I feel my heart is aching

Thou it doesn't beat, it's breaking

And the pain here that I feel

Try and tell me it's not real

I know that I am dead..." he layed on the bed, looking at the ceiling with no hope before closing his eyes.

"Yet it seems I still have

One tear to shed" they widened their eyes at the single drop of water coming out of his closed eye.

"Do deads can cry now?!" Mimic whispered shouted before cursing out loud when Kurono merely sighed and punched him with more force than Chisaki had before.

~

You were absolutely horrified. Not even two days in here and one subordinate of your family had died from a heart attack and appeared on the same place you were stuck in... and it seemes like he brought the news which brought you to the reality.

When you went missing, your and Tomura's family had canceled the wedding due to you not being there, assuming you had ran away from your responsibilities and another woman came in rushing as a thunder to take the responsibility.

This made you realize how... you didn't were cared for by your supposed future broom. It was all a arrangment marrige after all.

The sound of a sad yet beautiful music took your thoughts away as you followed the beautiful melody... finding a door half closed, you decided to pick inside only to widened your eyes in shock as you see the man you were supposed engaged to playing the piano.

People could call you crazy, but in this scenario he looked... quite beautiful. His eyes were sorrow but still focused on the piano in fron of him, slender and bones fingers dancing on each piece of it as his shoulders tensed when he heard the door making it a sound... but still not looking up.

"You play wonderfully." You mused out loud as he scoffed, wincing a bit you remember that he some how must still be offended by what you said earlier.

You slowly and shyly took a seat next to him, visibly noticing him not enjoying the least your company as he still played.

"Im sorry I hurt your feelings-"

"I thought deads didn't had those." He grimaced and you instantly shut uo before slowly playing one note, smilling shyly when he stopped a bit to inspect your actions.

"My parents thought I didn't had to do piano classes, so I sadly didn't had one chance to play such beautiful songs as yours..." you tried to mimic his actions before you and him hissed at the horrific sound it came out.

"God have mercy, your parents were right on not trying to put you onto such a thing." He growled and you felt offended. Going to talk back you closed your mouth when he aproached you, placing his still carnal hand and skeleton one underneath yours, encouting you silently to touch it.

He started to play one song more animated, you gasping in awe at the beauty of it and how he was actually showing you how it was. The sign of it made him smirk as you giggle... although he widened gis eyes whem his hand decided to pop out of his wrist and dance on the fucking piano.

You giggled and hesitantly picked it back, offering him with a smile.

"Pardon." He coughed as he put it back with a scoff as you smiled at him.

The door suddenly slammed open, the blond man who scared you at the first day panting as Chisaki glared at him from his seat with you.

"What is the meaning of this?" He growled, getting up as the poor guy pointed at some place in the hall.

"I-Is urgent boss! Is something about your-" Kurono popped out of no where, shutting his mouth up.

Chisaki gave you an apologetic look before adjusting his tie and going after then.

After a few minutes of no company you sighed and decided to walk around until you heard whispers shouts on what was suppose to be the kitchen.

"I'm sorry master, but the marriage will only be "real" when both of the involved are from the same world." Tengai spoke as you heard Chisaki punching something.

"What is needed then?!" He shouted and you curled in yourself by instinct.

"That's the best part!" Mimic said in glee before darkening his voice "We're going to kill them!"

You muffled your gasp as you pecked inside the room, seing all the man in there looking at Chisaki. Who for the first time had a conflicted expression.

Suddenly he let out a heavy sigh. Making you curious and rather anxious on what he would say.

"No. I was a criminal while alive, but certainly I am not a beast." He murmured as the others on the room frowned.

You laid your back in the wall sighing... biting your lip as all the thoughts in your head ran and ran until you decided to enter the room slowly. Shocking everyone.

"What are you doing in here?" Chisaki growled, eyeing you between his eyes, before taking his hand out of his face to watch you more properly when you took a seat next to him.

"I will do it." You spoke witha smile, giggling a bkt when one of the man's jaw literally fell.

"You heard it." He mused out loud as you pondered over your final decision.

"You weren't selfish enoigh to murder me. And only what you done with my stay in here was trying to be gentle with me until i ruined everything with my hurtful words. But still I have one wish to make.... I want the wedding not to be soon, neither down here... on the surface more likely, so you all and myself can watch the beautiful nightsky."

"... fair enough. Then why are you trying to brush the wedding aside then?" He asked with his noss arched up, you hesitated before grabbing his hand that weren't left any skin or muscles on it, surprinsing him for once.

"Because I want to know my groom before I marry him. And I want you to know about me as well." You smiled and you swore the deadman was smilling as well.

"Very well.... finance."